Uttarkashi: Uttarkashi town in Uttarakhand has witnessed eight earthquakes in the last seven days, creating panic among the people. There is an atmosphere of panic due to the earthquake tremors in the district headquarters and surrounding areas.
The district lies in the highly sensitive earthquake zones 4 and 5. The catastrophic earthquake of 1991 inflicted significant damage here, accompanied by several mild tremors. Currently, the recurring tremors are once again causing fear among the residents.
Main Central Thrust (MCT) passing through Uttarkashi district
The major reason behind these earthquakes is the Main Central Thrust (MCT) passing through Uttarkashi district in the lap of the Himalayas. Experts say that continuous tectonic activity beneath this region causes earthquakes. According to Dr Naresh Kumar, senior scientist at Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, this central seismic gap is the major reason behind these frequent earthquakes in this region.
District falls in the most sensitive zone 4 and 5 in terms of earthquakes
The district falls in the most sensitive zones 4 and 5 in terms of earthquakes. The devastating earthquake of 1991 caused heavy damage here. During this period, mild tremors occurred several times. Now, once again, the tremors are scaring people.
Fault lines are the reason behind most of the devastating earthquakes
In the Himalayan region, apart from the Main Central Thrust (MCT), the Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) is located between the Lesser and Shivalik Himalayas. Meanwhile, the Himalayan Front Fault (HFF) is located between the Shivalik and the vast plains. According to seismology experts, these fault lines in the Himalayas are why destructive earthquakes occur more frequently in the Himalayas and surrounding areas.
The collision of these plates led to the formation of the main central fault
According to experts, the Himalayas were formed about 50 million years ago due to the collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates. The Indian plate is still moving continuously towards the Eurasian plate. The collision of these plates led to the formation of the main central fault, which separates the Greater Himalayas from the Lesser Himalayas. Its slope is towards North Tibet.
The main central fault extends for 2200 km
It extends from the northwest to the southeast of the Himalayas for 2200 km. Being situated between two plates, this area is extremely sensitive and very weak. Due to the movement inside the earth, energy keeps coming out from these weak areas, causing earthquakes and landslides.
Eight tremors in seven days
Uttarkashi has experienced eight earthquakes in the last seven days. Of these, three tremors were felt on January 24. Two of these tremors were of 2.5 and 3.5 magnitude. One was very mild and did not register on the Richter scale. Two tremors were felt the next day on January 25, the first of which was of 2.4 magnitude. The second did not register on the Richter scale. Tremors of 2.7 magnitude were also felt last Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
Earthquake tremors scared people in the district headquarters and nearby areas
Earlier on January 24, three earthquake tremors were felt here one after the other, and two tremors were felt on January 25. There is an atmosphere of panic among the people due to the continuous tremors. According to the Disaster Management Center, there is no news of any damage in the district due to the earthquake.
