Earthquake

 Delhi, the capital city of India, is bounded by the Indo-Gangetic alluvial plains in the North and East, by Thar desert in the West and by Aravalli hill ranges in the South. It falls under Zone - IV in the country-wide macro earthquake zone (Zone V -high intensity to Zone II - low intensity). Though it may not fall in the most seismically active region of the country, the city can still face disastrous consequences if any earthquake strikes with its epicentre anywhere in the surrounding areas such as Hindukush mountain range or the Himalayas.

The map shows that Delhi University's north campus, Sarita Vihar, Gita Colony, Shakarpur, Paschim Vihar, Wazirabad, Rithala, Rohini, Jahangirpuri, Bawana, Karol Bagh and Janakpuri fall under the 'high hazard zone' having worst category of "very high" risk index. Most of these areas are along the bank of the river Yamuna and its flood plain. On the other hand, places like IGI Airport, Hauz Khas, Burari and Najafgarh fall under second worst "high risk" index category.

A 6.8-magnitude earthquake with its epicentre in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan jolted several parts of north India including Delhi-NCR on Friday, December 20, 2019. There was no immediate report of any loss of life or property due to the quake which hit at 5:13 pm. 

FOR GENERAL PURPOSE

What is earthquake and why it happens?

The tectonic plates are always slowly moving, but they get stuck at their edges due to friction. When the stress on the edge overcomes the friction, there is an earthquake that releases energy in waves that travel through the earth's crust and cause the shaking that we feel.

Earthquakes are usually caused when rock underground suddenly breaks along a fault. This sudden release of energy causes the seismic waves that make the ground shake. When two blocks of rock or two plates are rubbing against each other, they stick a little. ... When the rocks break, the earthquake occurs.

What are the causes of earthquake?

What can we do during earthquake?