Why Delhi felt earthquake harder: Experts explain powerful tremors from epicenter!

On Monday morning, Delhi and surrounding regions were shaken awake by an earthquake that struck at 5:36 AM. The earthquake, which had a magnitude of 4.0 on the Richter scale, caused many residents to panic and run out of their homes. Despite the relatively low magnitude, many reported feeling stronger tremors than expected. Why did this happen?

Why did the earthquake feel stronger than expected?

Srijan Pal Singh, a former advisor to the 11th President of India and founder of Kalam Centre and Homi Lab, explained the phenomenon on X. He pointed out that although the earthquake's magnitude was only 4.0, the intensity was amplified because the epicenter was located within Delhi itself.

Singh wrote, “This is how quakes feel at the epicenter.” Earthquakes often feel more intense near their epicenter, which is the point on Earth's surface directly above where the earthquake originates. In this case, the location was central to Delhi, making the tremors more pronounced despite the moderate size of the earthquake.

Understanding the epicenter and seismic waves

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) explains that the epicenter is the point directly above the earthquake's starting point, known as the hypocenter. While the earthquake itself is felt most strongly at the epicenter, its vibrations, or seismic waves, can be detected miles away.

Seismic waves travel through the Earth, causing the shaking associated with earthquakes. The more direct the location is to the epicenter, the stronger the tremors are felt. NASA's science website confirms this, stating that the most intense shaking is typically experienced near the epicenter, even though vibrations can extend over vast distances.

Where exactly was the epicenter of the Delhi earthquake?

According to officials, the epicenter of Monday’s earthquake was near Dhaula Kuan's Durgabai Deshmukh College of Special Education. This area has a history of experiencing small, low-magnitude quakes every two to three years, with the most recent one causing a strong jolt.

Why is Delhi vulnerable to earthquakes?

Delhi is located in an active seismic zone, partly due to faults around the Delhi-NCR region and its proximity to the Himalayan range. The Delhi-Haridwar Ridge, a major geological structure, is thought to be linked to seismic activity in the area. This ridge aligns with the extension of the Aravali Mountain belt, which lies beneath the Ganga basin's alluvial plains towards the northeast of Delhi.

Prime Minister's response and public safety

In the wake of the earthquake, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged residents to remain calm and follow safety protocols. He also emphasized the importance of staying alert for possible aftershocks.

Surge in online searches for Earthquake information

Following the earthquake, the search term "earthquake in Delhi" experienced a significant spike on Google Trends, with a peak interest around mid-morning. Most of the searches originated from Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Chandigarh. People sought more information on the epicenter, the magnitude, and the impact of the earthquake, highlighting the widespread concern it caused across the region.