Major Earthquake Zones - India | Oxford Student ATLAS: Maps & Tests - UPSC PDF Download

 Page 1


Major Earthquake Zones
Seismic Zones of India
Identification of Earthquake-Prone Regions
The identification of earthquake-prone regions in India is based on scientific
inputs related to seismicity, historical earthquake occurrences, and the tectonic
setup of the respective areas. Taking these factors into consideration, the Bureau
of Indian Standards (BIS) has categorized the country into four seismic zones,
namely zones V, IV, III, and II. Each zone represents varying levels of seismic
activity, with Zone V experiencing the highest intensity and Zone II the lowest.
Seismic Zones and Corresponding Regions in India
Seismic
Zone
Regions Covered
Zone V Parts of Jammu and Kashmir (Kashmir valley), Western Himachal
Pradesh, Eastern Uttarakhand, Kutch in Gujarat, Northern Bihar,
northeastern states, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Page 2


Major Earthquake Zones
Seismic Zones of India
Identification of Earthquake-Prone Regions
The identification of earthquake-prone regions in India is based on scientific
inputs related to seismicity, historical earthquake occurrences, and the tectonic
setup of the respective areas. Taking these factors into consideration, the Bureau
of Indian Standards (BIS) has categorized the country into four seismic zones,
namely zones V, IV, III, and II. Each zone represents varying levels of seismic
activity, with Zone V experiencing the highest intensity and Zone II the lowest.
Seismic Zones and Corresponding Regions in India
Seismic
Zone
Regions Covered
Zone V Parts of Jammu and Kashmir (Kashmir valley), Western Himachal
Pradesh, Eastern Uttarakhand, Kutch in Gujarat, Northern Bihar,
northeastern states, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Major Earthquake Zones
Zone IV Ladakh, remaining parts of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and
Uttarakhand, some parts of Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Sikkim, the
northern part of Uttar Pradesh, small portions of Bihar and West
Bengal, parts of Gujarat, and small portions of Maharashtra near the
west coast and western Rajasthan.
Zone III Kerala, Goa, Lakshadweep islands, parts of Uttar Pradesh and
Haryana, remaining parts of Gujarat and Punjab, parts of West
Bengal, western Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, remaining part of Bihar,
northern parts of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, parts of Maharashtra,
Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
Zone II Remaining parts of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana,
Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana,
Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
Approximately, 11% of the country falls under Zone V, around 18% in Zone IV,
approximately 30% in Zone III, and the remaining areas are classified under Zone
II. In total, about 59% of India's landmass, encompassing all states, is susceptible
to earthquakes of varying intensities.
Understanding Earthquakes
In simple terms, an earthquake refers to the shaking of the Earth caused by the
release of energy, resulting in seismic waves that propagate in all directions. To
detect and record earthquakes, seismographs or seismometers are employed.
The point below the Earth's surface where the energy is released is known as the
focus or hypocenter of the earthquake. The epicenter, located on the Earth's
surface directly above the focus, is the first location to experience the earthquake
waves.
Measuring Earthquakes
The magnitude or intensity of earthquakes is measured using two scales: the
Richter scale and the modified Mercalli scale. The Richter scale, named after the
seismologist who devised it, measures the earthquake's magnitude, representing
the energy released during the event. Magnitudes range from 0 to 10. On the
other hand, the modified Mercalli scale assesses the intensity of earthquakes,
taking into account the visible damage caused by the event. The intensity scale
ranges from 0 to 12, indicating varying degrees of impact.
Page 3


Major Earthquake Zones
Seismic Zones of India
Identification of Earthquake-Prone Regions
The identification of earthquake-prone regions in India is based on scientific
inputs related to seismicity, historical earthquake occurrences, and the tectonic
setup of the respective areas. Taking these factors into consideration, the Bureau
of Indian Standards (BIS) has categorized the country into four seismic zones,
namely zones V, IV, III, and II. Each zone represents varying levels of seismic
activity, with Zone V experiencing the highest intensity and Zone II the lowest.
Seismic Zones and Corresponding Regions in India
Seismic
Zone
Regions Covered
Zone V Parts of Jammu and Kashmir (Kashmir valley), Western Himachal
Pradesh, Eastern Uttarakhand, Kutch in Gujarat, Northern Bihar,
northeastern states, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Major Earthquake Zones
Zone IV Ladakh, remaining parts of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and
Uttarakhand, some parts of Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Sikkim, the
northern part of Uttar Pradesh, small portions of Bihar and West
Bengal, parts of Gujarat, and small portions of Maharashtra near the
west coast and western Rajasthan.
Zone III Kerala, Goa, Lakshadweep islands, parts of Uttar Pradesh and
Haryana, remaining parts of Gujarat and Punjab, parts of West
Bengal, western Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, remaining part of Bihar,
northern parts of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, parts of Maharashtra,
Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
Zone II Remaining parts of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana,
Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana,
Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
Approximately, 11% of the country falls under Zone V, around 18% in Zone IV,
approximately 30% in Zone III, and the remaining areas are classified under Zone
II. In total, about 59% of India's landmass, encompassing all states, is susceptible
to earthquakes of varying intensities.
Understanding Earthquakes
In simple terms, an earthquake refers to the shaking of the Earth caused by the
release of energy, resulting in seismic waves that propagate in all directions. To
detect and record earthquakes, seismographs or seismometers are employed.
The point below the Earth's surface where the energy is released is known as the
focus or hypocenter of the earthquake. The epicenter, located on the Earth's
surface directly above the focus, is the first location to experience the earthquake
waves.
Measuring Earthquakes
The magnitude or intensity of earthquakes is measured using two scales: the
Richter scale and the modified Mercalli scale. The Richter scale, named after the
seismologist who devised it, measures the earthquake's magnitude, representing
the energy released during the event. Magnitudes range from 0 to 10. On the
other hand, the modified Mercalli scale assesses the intensity of earthquakes,
taking into account the visible damage caused by the event. The intensity scale
ranges from 0 to 12, indicating varying degrees of impact.
Major Earthquake Zones
Key Organizations and Initiatives
Several organizations in India play crucial roles in monitoring and managing
earthquake-related activities:
1. National Centre for Seismology (NCS): As the nodal agency of the
Government of India, NCS monitors earthquake activity across the country.
Equipped with state-of-the-art instruments, NCS maintains the National
Seismological Network consisting of more than 150 stations strategically
placed throughout India.
2. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): NDMA conducts regular
awareness campaigns through print, electronic, and social media to
promote prevention and preparedness for earthquake-related disasters.
These initiatives aim to sensitize individuals and communities to building
safety measures.
3. Building Materials and Technology Promotion Council (BMTPC): BMTPC is
responsible for promoting resource-efficient, climate-resilient, and disaster-
resistant construction practices. It focuses on incorporating emerging
building materials and construction technologies for practical
implementation. BMTPC also provides scientific and technological support
in the field of innovative building materials, construction technologies, and
disaster mitigation and management.
By understanding the seismic zones of India and the associated risks, individuals
and authorities can take appropriate measures to mitigate the impact of
earthquakes and enhance disaster preparedness.
Important Points
1. The seismic zones of India are categorized into four zones: V, IV, III, and II,
representing increasing levels of seismic activity.
2. Approximately 11% of India falls under Zone V, 18% under Zone IV, 30%
under Zone III, and the remaining areas under Zone II.
3. Earthquakes are the result of energy release, causing the shaking of the
Earth and generating seismic waves.
4. Magnitude and intensity scales, such as the Richter scale and the modified
Mercalli scale, are used to measure earthquakes.
5. The National Centre for Seismology (NCS) monitors earthquake activity and
maintains a network of stations across India.
Page 4


Major Earthquake Zones
Seismic Zones of India
Identification of Earthquake-Prone Regions
The identification of earthquake-prone regions in India is based on scientific
inputs related to seismicity, historical earthquake occurrences, and the tectonic
setup of the respective areas. Taking these factors into consideration, the Bureau
of Indian Standards (BIS) has categorized the country into four seismic zones,
namely zones V, IV, III, and II. Each zone represents varying levels of seismic
activity, with Zone V experiencing the highest intensity and Zone II the lowest.
Seismic Zones and Corresponding Regions in India
Seismic
Zone
Regions Covered
Zone V Parts of Jammu and Kashmir (Kashmir valley), Western Himachal
Pradesh, Eastern Uttarakhand, Kutch in Gujarat, Northern Bihar,
northeastern states, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Major Earthquake Zones
Zone IV Ladakh, remaining parts of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and
Uttarakhand, some parts of Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Sikkim, the
northern part of Uttar Pradesh, small portions of Bihar and West
Bengal, parts of Gujarat, and small portions of Maharashtra near the
west coast and western Rajasthan.
Zone III Kerala, Goa, Lakshadweep islands, parts of Uttar Pradesh and
Haryana, remaining parts of Gujarat and Punjab, parts of West
Bengal, western Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, remaining part of Bihar,
northern parts of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, parts of Maharashtra,
Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
Zone II Remaining parts of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana,
Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana,
Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
Approximately, 11% of the country falls under Zone V, around 18% in Zone IV,
approximately 30% in Zone III, and the remaining areas are classified under Zone
II. In total, about 59% of India's landmass, encompassing all states, is susceptible
to earthquakes of varying intensities.
Understanding Earthquakes
In simple terms, an earthquake refers to the shaking of the Earth caused by the
release of energy, resulting in seismic waves that propagate in all directions. To
detect and record earthquakes, seismographs or seismometers are employed.
The point below the Earth's surface where the energy is released is known as the
focus or hypocenter of the earthquake. The epicenter, located on the Earth's
surface directly above the focus, is the first location to experience the earthquake
waves.
Measuring Earthquakes
The magnitude or intensity of earthquakes is measured using two scales: the
Richter scale and the modified Mercalli scale. The Richter scale, named after the
seismologist who devised it, measures the earthquake's magnitude, representing
the energy released during the event. Magnitudes range from 0 to 10. On the
other hand, the modified Mercalli scale assesses the intensity of earthquakes,
taking into account the visible damage caused by the event. The intensity scale
ranges from 0 to 12, indicating varying degrees of impact.
Major Earthquake Zones
Key Organizations and Initiatives
Several organizations in India play crucial roles in monitoring and managing
earthquake-related activities:
1. National Centre for Seismology (NCS): As the nodal agency of the
Government of India, NCS monitors earthquake activity across the country.
Equipped with state-of-the-art instruments, NCS maintains the National
Seismological Network consisting of more than 150 stations strategically
placed throughout India.
2. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): NDMA conducts regular
awareness campaigns through print, electronic, and social media to
promote prevention and preparedness for earthquake-related disasters.
These initiatives aim to sensitize individuals and communities to building
safety measures.
3. Building Materials and Technology Promotion Council (BMTPC): BMTPC is
responsible for promoting resource-efficient, climate-resilient, and disaster-
resistant construction practices. It focuses on incorporating emerging
building materials and construction technologies for practical
implementation. BMTPC also provides scientific and technological support
in the field of innovative building materials, construction technologies, and
disaster mitigation and management.
By understanding the seismic zones of India and the associated risks, individuals
and authorities can take appropriate measures to mitigate the impact of
earthquakes and enhance disaster preparedness.
Important Points
1. The seismic zones of India are categorized into four zones: V, IV, III, and II,
representing increasing levels of seismic activity.
2. Approximately 11% of India falls under Zone V, 18% under Zone IV, 30%
under Zone III, and the remaining areas under Zone II.
3. Earthquakes are the result of energy release, causing the shaking of the
Earth and generating seismic waves.
4. Magnitude and intensity scales, such as the Richter scale and the modified
Mercalli scale, are used to measure earthquakes.
5. The National Centre for Seismology (NCS) monitors earthquake activity and
maintains a network of stations across India.
Major Earthquake Zones
6. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Building
Materials and Technology Promotion Council (BMTPC) are actively involved
in earthquake preparedness and promoting resilient construction practices.