Why Did the 4.0-Magnitude Earthquake in Delhi-NCR Feel So Strong?
NEW DELHI: Early Monday morning, residents of Delhi-NCR and northern India experienced strong tremors from a 4.0-magnitude earthquake that struck at 5:36 AM IST, with its epicentre in Dhaula Kuan. Although a 4.0 quake is typically considered moderate, its shallow depth and proximity to dense urban areas amplified the shaking.
Factors Contributing to the Intensity
- Epicentre Location: The earthquake originated beneath the city, resulting in seismic waves having less distance to travel, which increased the intensity of the tremors.
- Shallow Depth: The quake occurred at a depth of just 5 km, generating stronger shaking compared to deeper earthquakes.
- Urban Infrastructure: High-rise buildings in the area sway more due to their height, enhancing the sensation of shaking.
- Soil Composition: The soft alluvial soil in parts of Delhi can amplify seismic waves, further intensifying the tremors.
Understanding Earthquake Occurrences
Delhi is situated near active fault lines, making it susceptible to seismic activity. The recent tremors resulted from tectonic plate movement along these fault lines, where accumulated stress is eventually released as an earthquake.
Earthquake Intensity and Magnitude
The Richter scale measures earthquake intensity logarithmically; each whole-number increase signifies a tenfold increase in amplitude and approximately 32 times more energy release. Thus, even a minor increase in magnitude can lead to significant impacts, particularly in urban settings.
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