The tremors felt in various parts of Northern India, including Delhi and also in the neighbouring country of Pakistan, following the Faizabad earthquake on Tuesday morning, are clearcut indicators of rising seismic unrest in the Indian subcontinent.
Earthquakes that were once rare are becoming annual or at least bi-annual occurrences in this 'seismically volatile' region, at least that's what the recent reports suggest.
Tuesday's quake measuring 6.2 had its epicentre at Faizabad in the Hindu Kush region (300 km from Kabul) and the after tremors shook Islamabad, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Peshawar and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir along with Delhi, Srinagar, Punjab and Dharamshala.
The tremors in Delhi and Srinagar measured 5.9 on the Richter scale. Tremors measuring more than 4 on the Richter scale are capable of inflicting widespread damage to life and property. However there has been no report of any serious causality from these parts.
"Yes it seems that seismic activity is on the rise in the Indian subcontinent. A number of scattered tremors are being reported from the region in the recent years. Though seismologists are engaged in extensive research activities, a definite pattern is yet to emerge out of the entire scenario," says R K Chadha, seismologist, National Geographical Research Institute, Hyderabad.
Speaking to rediff.com, he pointed out the relevance of setting up more regional seismic stations in earthquake prone zones, like the Hindu Kush range which experience shockwaves (mostly minor) on a regular basis.
Chadha added that such regional or local stations would be able to provide more specific and accurate details and also serve as major boosters for seismologists in their research.
This would also do away with the minor flaws in the readings that are released from seismic stations that are sometimes located quite far away from the actual epicentre.
"Also the level of co-operation among the countries in the region has to be further increased. There should also be frequent and extensive exchange of scientific data and observations between them. This is a matter of highest priority as it involves the safety and well being of scores of people," he said.
Dr C P Rajendran, a seismologist from Centre for Earth Science Studies, Thiruvananthapuram, was of the opinion that frequent tremors were due to the venting out of immense stress and pressure accumulated deep inside the crust as a result of seismic activity.
It is to be noted that the Bureau of Indian Standards has demarcated the country into four seismic zones on the basis of the nature and scope of seismic activities recorded at those regions and has prescribed some guidelines to be followed while erecting buildings to ensure minimum damage to life and property during an earthquake.
This has gained more relevance in the recent times since tectonic plates are becoming more and more restless by the day.
"Post-tsunami, most of the government buildings are constructed according to prescribed standards, but it is still to be followed while constructing houses and office structures. Most of the people are not following it as they see it just as an additional expense and shrug it off," says R K Chadha.
