Tremors felt in Delhi and NCR after 6.2 magnitude earthquake in Afghanistan
Tremors were felt across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) on Saturday evening after a 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan. The seismic event, which occurred at 7:04 pm, sent mild shockwaves that were felt over 1,000 kilometers away in the Indian capital.
According to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), the epicenter of the earthquake was located 74 kilometers south of Fayzabad, Afghanistan. The earthquake struck at a depth of 215 kilometers, which played a significant role in how the tremors were felt in northern India.
No initial loss of life or damage to property was reported anywhere in Delhi or the surrounding NCR following the incident.
An official from the National Centre for Seismology, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that the earthquake had very little impact on the Delhi region because of the vast distance from the epicenter. The epicenter was located nearly 1,026 kilometers away from Delhi.
The official explained that the tremors felt in Delhi were very deep. According to the official, if the depth of the earthquake had been shallower, the tremors would not even have been felt in Delhi.
The Bureau of Indian Standards classifies the country into four distinct seismic groups, ranging from zone II, which represents low intensity, to zone V, which represents very severe seismic activity. Delhi and the NCR are classified under zone IV, which is categorized as a severe intensity zone. Because of this classification, seismic activity is a fairly common occurrence in the region.
According to experts, Delhi's proximity to the Himalayan region, which is also located in a high-seismic zone, makes the national capital highly prone to experiencing aftershocks.
Furthermore, Delhi has three active fault lines running directly through its territory. These are the Sohna, Mathura, and Delhi-Moradabad fault lines. Meanwhile, the neighboring Haryana region has seven active fault lines running across its territory, contributing to the region's overall seismic activity.
