Indian Tectonic Plate Moving 5cm
According to Dr N Purnachandra Rao, a leading seismologist at the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), the Indian tectonic plate is moving at a rate of approximately 5 cm per year. This movement is causing stress to accumulate along the Himalayas, which could result in significant earthquakes in the near future.
Dr N Purnachandra Rao, the chief scientist and seismologist at the Hyderabad-based National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), said, “The Earth’s surface comprises various plates that are constantly in motion. The Indian plate is moving about 5 cm every year, resulting in the accumulation of stress along the Himalayas and raising the possibility of major earthquakes.”
“We have a strong network of 18 seismograph stations in Uttarakhand. The region, referred to as the seismic gap between Himachal and the western part of Nepal, including Uttarakhand, is prone to earthquakes that might occur any time,” the chief scientist added.
The region between Himachal and western Nepal, including Uttarakhand, is particularly prone to earthquakes, and the NGRI has 18 seismograph stations in Uttarakhand to monitor seismic activity. On February 22, an earthquake of magnitude 3.6 occurred north of Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, and on February 19, an earthquake hit Nandigama in Andhra Pradesh’s NTR district. There were no reports of casualties from the incident.
“An earthquake of magnitude 3.6 occurred 56km north of Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh at around 10:38 pm, yesterday. The depth of the earthquake was 10 km below the ground,” the NCS said in a statement. On February 19, an earthquake struck the town of Nandigama in Andhra Pradesh’s NTR district. No loss of lives was reported in the incident.
