Earthquakes in India are Active, Potentially Damaging, and Responsible for Climatic Changes in the Country
India is a prone to earthquakes because of tectonic movement of the Earth in this region. In fact, research has pointed out that the Indian peninsula is moving towards Asia at 47 mm per year. The movement of the tectonic plates in this region has made India a danger zone that is prone to major earthquakes and displacement of the Earth’s lithosphere. As a result, scientists have divided the country into 5 zones. Zone 5 is the “high risk zone” that includes North East India and Himalayan region, Western Himalayas, Rann of Kutch, Kashmir, and Punjab. Zone 4 is a “high damage risk zone” that includes Koyanagar area in Maharashtra, Jammu, Delhi, and Bihar. Zone 3 is known as “moderate damage risk zone”, which includes low lying areas of Himalayas and Andaman Islands. Zone 2 is the “low damage risk zone” that includes Pondicherry and Ranchi.
Earthquakes in India — How it Happens
Two blocks of the Earth’s lithosphere or tectonic plates often collide or slip against each other, causing the Earth to shake. Fault lines are created which are caused by the friction of the two blocks. The spot on the surface directly above the area where the shocks originate is known as epicenter – the worst affected area. A major earthquake gives rise to aftershocks or tremors. The hazard regions which have been subjected to earthquakes include those in areas such as Andaman Islands, Dhubri, Bihar, Uttarkashi, Gujarat, Sikkim, Assam, and Jabbalpur. In fact, there have been serious earthquakes striking Gujarat and Andaman Islands at least twice. Way back in 1881, the Andaman quake shook the tribal belt in the region. These earthquakes measure on an average 7 to 8 points on a Richter scale. Death and destruction are a part of the onslaught brought in by major earthquakes in India.
Scientists use seismographs to record earthquakes and tremors. During tremors, as the Earth shakes, the wire in the seismograph also shakes. The vibrations of this wire are recorded. The recordings, known as seismogram determine how powerful the quake has been. Larger the fault and higher its slip, the greater is the earthquake. The size of the tremor is known as the magnitude of the quake. The intensity or magnitude of the earthquake is highest at the epicenter. The epicenter of many major earthquakes in India was in the Indian terrain. No wonder, India has become a volatile spot for tremors.
Ocean Earthquakes and Tsunami, the Aftermath
It isn’t always that earthquakes happen on the land. It can also happen on the sea or ocean bed. One such major quake with an epicenter in the Indian Ocean happened on December 26th, 2004. The quake was felt in Sumatra and Indonesia. It no doubt had casualties. However, quite far from Sumatra, on the Eastern coastal belt of India, the onslaught of the earthquake was felt – in the form of a Tsunami.
Tsunamis are huge waves of sea or ocean waters which are caused because of an earthquake that disturbs the water body. On the fateful day in December, 2004, the water on the coastal area at first receded immensely. This was an indication that a huge wave was expected to hit the land. However, many people who were not informed and thought it hilarious to go towards the ocean. In minutes, a gushing wave came in and took with it, millions of innocent lives. A typical Tsunami wave can reach up to 80 feet when hitting the coastal belt. In the sea, the waves are formed which travel at an enormous speed of about 1000 km per hour.
Tackling Tsunamis is a big task as it is not easy to predict an earthquake or find out a simmering tidal wave in the sea. There may be Tsunami warning machineries that warn people about an impending Tsunami. Had such a system existed in 2004 along the Chennai beaches, death and destruction would be less. The damage ranged from loss of lives to loss of property, livelihood, and ecological balance. For instance, the ocean waves hit the arable lands and deposited salts. This made the soil infertile for crops. Coral reefs, fishes, and other marine organisms perished due to pollution. The fishermen lost their livelihood because their boats where washed away. With many orphaned and homeless, Tsunami in India took a huge toll on Mankind and the economy.
Massive Earthquakes Unavoidable
Scientists have predicted that India is prone to earthquakes – and, major ones too. Especially in the Himalayan terrain, a major quake measuring around 8 points on Richter scale is expected to strike in these coming years. In the lower Himalayas, just 12 km underground, there exists a large fault line or a slip zone. As the Indian peninsula is moving inwards, it is compressing the Himalayas. In time, the Himalayas are expected to give way to a huge quake that could easily affect the Ganga plains where millions of people live and industries, farmlands, arable lands, and cities have come up in this area. Major quakes in Bhuj and Gujarat are just a precursor of a simmering change in the tectonic plate on the Indian land. Scientists have further opined that climate often helps to boost tectonic movements. For instance, heavy monsoons can help the peninsula India to move faster towards the Himalayas – a way to cause a tremor in the region. The reverse is also true. A Tsunami in 2004 lowered the wintry temperatures noticeably that year.
Earthquakes Affecting Tourism
Earthquakes in India have affected tourism immensely. When Tsunami struck in 2004 in the beach areas of South India, many tourists not only fled the region but cancelled any such trips in the future. With no concrete warning systems or earthquake controlling devices, the tourists don’t want to risk their lives. The same is also true for other regions in India, such as Himalayan spots, Maharashtra and the Kutch area of Gujarat. These places have many historical forts, monuments, and age-old palaces. However, tremors have created cracks in them. Many such areas are just-right spots for adventure sports. Natural disasters in Bhuj, Sikkim, and Assam have dampened the spirits of the travelers, trekkers and hikers. Nevertheless people do arrive in India to live, holiday, or conduct business. The ideal way to live with nature is perhaps to learn when these calamities can occur.
Predicting Earthquakes – Myths and Reality
There is no way that humans can find out when an earthquake can happen. Observers have opined that same may not be true for fishes, rodents, and snakes. These animals often behave in a strange way before a quake. Shoals of fishes move at tremendous speed not knowing where to head. Rodents, such as rabbits, moles, rats come out of their nests and venture to safe places. Birds too, seem alarmed. Scientists do not know the reason why these animals behave in such a manner. But, the animals do indicate that something sinister is about to happen.
Earlier, people used to believe that there was a supernatural power which created havoc on Earth. However, even though one may find the reason incredible, it is true that animals can portend a coming disaster. Recently, studies have showed that before the movement of the tectonic plates, ozone is emitted from the fissures on the fault line. Consequently, ozone in the air increases before a quake – which can be a reason why the animals behave in a strange manner prior to a tremor. So, machines or warning system based on such methodology – say, indicate when ozone level rises — can work wonders for hapless people in a earthquake prone area. Others point out that there are chemical changes in the water near the quake region which make the fish behave in an erratic way. A similar device to identify changes in the sea water can help people know when a tremor can occur.
All in all, earthquake in India is an age old concept which people living here have been witnessing since ages. The time has come to predict such tremors and movements of the Earth’s lithosphere so that loss of life and property is saved greatly.