On February 17, 2025, an earthquake with Richter scale value 4.0 severely shook Delhi and the whole NCR. Reports state that the earthquake struck at 5:36 AM IST and that vibrations began about 5:30 AM. These mild vibrations woke several people up creating a sense of panic and fear among them. Based on the reports from the National Center for Seismology (NCS), a five kilometer deep epicenter was found under Durgabai Deshmukh College of Special Education in Dhaula Kuan. In response to this situation, the NCS reported that the tremors stemmed from a shallow source in South West Delhi .
Immediate Impact and Public Response
The earthquake, although moderate in strength, roamed several regions in India. These areas included Delhi, Ghaziabad, Greater Noida, Noida and even parts of West Bengal. Everyone residing in these places reported severe shaking which prompted vigorous panic. One of the local residents from Nehru Nagar named Anil reported, “There was a loud sound and strong jolts. My wife and I were very scared. The first thing we did was pick up our daughter and rush outside.”
Safety Precautions and Official Information
After these events, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the nation, asking people to exercise caution and be alert for any possible aftershocks. He explained, “There were tremors in Delhi and surrounding areas. Everyone is being advised to remain calm and take precautionary measures for any possible aftershocks. There is active monitoring of the situation.”
The Public Relations Officer of the Delhi Police also communicated with the public through social media, saying, “We hope that all of you are safe Delhi! For any emergency assistance please #Dial112.”
Examining the Factors Which Make Delhi Prone to Earthquakes
Delhi has active seismic activity mainly because it is located in the vicinity of the zone where the Indian continental plate collides with the Eurasian plate. This active tectonic movement has, in the past, caused a large number of earthquakes. The city falls under Seismic Zone IV, which means that it is susceptible to moderate to violent earthquakes.
There are several active fault systems which control the earthquakes experienced in Delhi and these include:
- Himalayan Seismic Belt: Powerful faults such as Main Central Thrust (MCT) and Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) cause huge earthquakes which greatly affect Delhi.
- Delhi-Haridwar Ridge & Aravalli Fault System: These geological features cause intra-plate earthquakes which affect the capital.
- Indo-Gangetic Plain & Soil Amplification: The soft alluvial soil in much of Delhi-NCR regions have the ability to amplify seismic waves, making even mild tremors feel far more powerful than they actually are.
Historical Context of Seismic Activity
Seismic activity that is noteworthy for its severity within the area includes:
- 1720 Delhi Earthquake – believed to have been roughly 7.5 magnitude.
- 1803 Mathura Earthquake – also around 7.5 magnitude and was strongly felt in Delhi.
- 2015 Nepal Earthquake – 7.8 magnitude earthquake that caused massive unrest due to the significant shaking always caused considerable panic in Delhi.
Such occurrences highlight the fact that this region has always been prone to seismic disturbances.
The Science Behind the Recent Tremors
Although the February 17 earthquake was moderate in magnitude, its urban epicenter and shallow depth made it feel stronger. Earthquakes that occur at depths less than 10 km are classified as shallow and usually result in more violent shaking on the surface. Moreover, densely populated areas near the epicenter meant that there were very short distances for the siesmic waves to dissipate, producing much greater ground motion.
The Director of the NCS, Dr. OP Mishra explained, “this phenomenon was an intra-plate earthquake” which arises from relatively small bumps within the crust of the earth, as opposed to a large tectonic movement spanning continents. He added that such phenomena are governed by ‘in situ material heterogeneity’ meaning differences in rock types below the surface.
Future Actions and Preparation
The latest shocks have clearly shown how Delhi has to be aggressive in getting ready for an earthquake. Consultants advise:
- Review and upgrade older buildings to meet contemporary seismic safety criteria.
- Civic Education Campaigns: Formulate an education drive to inform all residents, especially vulnerable communities about what to do during an earthquake.
- Regular Drills: Mobilizing schools and communities to routinely practice earthquake drills
Even though no infractions or harm were reported, the possibility of escalating ‘shaking activity ‘diagrams require preparedness to protect humans and real estate from damages or catastrophes.
Check official News here: 4.0 magnitude earthquake jolts Delhi-NCR out of sleep, big tremors, rumbling noise
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