Earthquakes have long been the natural phenomena that both fascinate and terrify humanity. For an 18-year-old Indian like myself, living in a region prone to seismic activity (Delhi-NCR), understanding earthquakes is not just a scientific curiosity but a matter of personal safety and societal responsibility. This essay aims to delve into the fascinating world of earthquakes and explore their causes, effects, and readiness of my homeland, India, in the face of this formidable force of nature.
Earthquakes are the result of tectonic plate movements beneath the Earth’s surface. The Earth’s crust is divided into several large and small plates that constantly interact. When these plates collide, separate, or slide past each other, stress builds up along their boundaries. Eventually, this stress is released in the form of seismic waves, causing the ground to shake.
The Richter Scale is commonly used to measure the magnitude of earthquakes. It is a logarithmic scale, meaning that each whole number increase represents a ten-fold increase in amplitude. The intensity of an earthquake, on the other hand, is measured using the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale, which assesses its effects on people, buildings, and the Earth’s surface.
My latest first-hand experience of an earthquake was on November 6, 2023, when it jolted Delhi-NCR with a magnitude 5.2 on the Richter Scale. This was days after a terrifying tremor of 6.4 magnitude shook me and thousands of others on November 3, 2023 night, whose epicentre was in Nepal. It was indeed a sinking feeling when everything beneath and around me was trembling, although for seconds. It pained me to know later that as many as 153 people died in Nepal in this natural disaster, that country’s worst since 2015, when about 9,000 people were killed in two earthquakes. After the November 3, 2023 tremor in Nepal, as many as 14 aftershocks were experienced in North India.
As I was trying to overcome the harrowing feeling while gauging the losses and trauma of actually severely hit people, my mind travelled back to the horrors of one of the biggest earthquakes in recent times—in Turkiye and Syria in February 2023. A massive over 55,000 people were killed, and one lakh were injured in this natural calamity. I could not imagine how they coped with when the tremor turned their houses into graves. It terribly saddened me when I imagined the devastating Bhuj (Kutchh) Gujarat earthquake of January 26, 2001, in which over 20,000 people were killed.
India has a long history of seismic activity, with some of the most devastating earthquakes recorded in its past. The 2001 Bhuj earthquake in Gujarat and the 1905 Kangra earthquake, which caused more than 20,000 deaths each, are prime examples. These events serve as stark reminders of the importance of earthquake preparedness in our country.
India’s vulnerability to earthquakes has led to significant efforts in earthquake preparedness. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) plays a crucial role in creating awareness, formulating policies, and implementing disaster mitigation measures. The Earthquake Early Warning System (EEWS) is another significant development, providing advance notice to affected regions.
Despite progress, India faces numerous challenges in earthquake preparedness. Population density, urbanisation, and inadequate infra-structure pose significant risks. Furthermore, ensuring that earthquake-resistant construction practices are followed remains a concern. In the future, India must continue to invest in research, infrastructure, and public education to mitigate earthquake risks effectively.
I believe that understanding earthquakes and our readiness to face them is vital. By educating ourselves, promoting earthquake-resistant construction, and supporting government initiatives, we can minimise the impact of these natural disasters. Let us work together to build a safer and more resilient India in the face of future seismic challenges.