Why did Delhi earthquake feel so intense despite its moderate magnitude?
Delhi earthquake: An earthquake of magnitude 4.0 on the Richter scale shook Delhi and its surrounding areas early Monday morning, causing panic as residents rushed out of their homes. The tremors were felt around 5.36 am, with the epicenter identified near Dhaula Kuan's Durgabai Deshmukh College of Special Education. Despite its moderate magnitude, many locals reported experiencing unusually strong tremors.
Why did the Delhi earthquake feel so intense?
Experts explained that the quake felt more powerful due to its shallow depth of just five km and its epicenter being located within Delhi itself. Srijan Pal Singh, former advisor to India’s 11th President and founder of the Kalam Centre and Homi Lab, highlighted that earthquakes tend to feel more intense at the epicenter. “This is how quakes feel at the epicenter," Singh noted on X (formerly Twitter).
The Delhi earthquake you just witnessed was around 4.0 on the Richter scale. That is not very high (quakes can go up to 6.0 and more) but you felt bigger tremors than ever before. Why ?
Because the epicenter is within Delhi itself. This is how quakes feel at the epicenter.
See… pic.twitter.com/FG9iR71LnF — Srijan Pal Singh (@srijanpalsingh) February 17, 2025
The US Geological Survey (USGS) describes the 'epicenter' as the point directly above the earthquake's origin on the Earth's surface. The energy released travels as seismic waves, leading to vibrations felt far beyond the epicenter. According to NASA, the most intense shaking occurs near the epicenter, although tremors can be detected miles away.
Why is Delhi prone to earthquakes?
Delhi lies in an active seismic zone due to its proximity to the Delhi-Haridwar Ridge, a significant geological structure linked to the extension of the Aravali Mountain belt. This, combined with nearby faults and closeness to the Himalayas, makes the national capital vulnerable to frequent seismic activity.
The region around Dhaula Kuan, which has a nearby lake, experiences low-magnitude quakes every two to three years, according to officials. Monday’s tremor is a reminder of Delhi's seismic sensitivity.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged residents to remain calm, follow safety guidelines, and stay alert for potential aftershocks. Meanwhile, Google Trends reported a surge in searches related to the earthquake, particularly from Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Chandigarh. Keywords such as 'earthquake in Delhi 17 Feb' and 'Delhi bhukamp' saw a sharp rise in popularity as people sought information about the quake's epicenter and its impact.
- With inputs from agencies
