Minister Provides Explanation for Increased Earthquake Activity in India This Year

India and Nepal have experienced an increase in earthquakes this year due to fluctuations in seismic activity, according to Union Earth Sciences Minister Kiren Rijiju. In a written response to a question in the Lok Sabha, Rijiju explained that the activation of the Almora fault in western Nepal was the cause of earthquakes in parts of north India and Nepal.

Rijiju stated that the mainshocks, along with subsequent aftershocks, led to a higher frequency of earthquakes in 2023. However, he noted that the background seismicity remained consistent during this period.

From January to November, northern India and Nepal witnessed 97 earthquakes ranging from magnitude 3.0 to 3.9, compared to 41 quakes in 2022 and 2021, and 42 in 2020. Additionally, the region experienced 21 earthquakes of magnitude 4.0-4.9 during the same period, compared to 20 in 2022 and 18 each in 2021 and 2020.

Rijiju emphasized that it is common for northern India and Nepal to occasionally experience moderate earthquakes due to the region’s proximity to active faults in the Himalayan region. He explained that these areas are highly seismically active due to collision tectonics, where the Indian plate subducts beneath the Eurasian Plate.

The Almora fault, which separates the Garhwal group of inner lesser Himalayas from the Jaunsar and Dudatoli groups of outer lesser Himalayas, was identified as the specific fault responsible for the recent earthquakes.

The National Disaster Management Authority has taken various precautionary measures, including earthquake drills, awareness programs, and earthquake management, to enhance preparedness and response to earthquake-related incidents.

Notably, on January 24, a 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal, which was felt strongly in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. On October 3, two earthquakes measuring 4.6 and 6.2 magnitude shook Nepal, with tremors felt in Delhi-NCR. Finally, on November 3, a powerful earthquake measuring 6.4 magnitude hit Nepal, accompanied by over 382 aftershocks.

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