From the Bhavnagar tremors to the 2001 devastation, the shadow of earthquakes chases Gujarat. Horrific memories of the past keep residents and authorities on alert.
The latest installment of quakes was witnessed in Rajkot on Friday, though it was not on a severe scale.
The district woke to tremors, with a series of earthquakes rattling residents across Jetpur, Dhoraji, and Upleta.
Schools were closed as a precaution.
The Institute of Seismological Research recorded 11 quakes between 6 am and noon, the strongest striking at 6:19 am at 3.8 on the Richter scale.
Minor tremors continued for nearly an hour, with tremors reported until 11:45 am.
A 3.3-magnitude quake had also been recorded Thursday night. No injuries or casualties were reported.
The quakes originated 27–30 km east-northeast of Upleta, at depths between 6.1 and 13.6 km. Residents described a tense morning, with some Gujarat Housing Board homes developing cracks. Residents of high-rises were the first to evacuate, fearing structural damage.
Meanwhile, authorities have urged calm and warned against rumours. They reassured that monitoring continues, with district officials ready to respond if needed.
Officials at the Institute of Seismological Research in Gandhinagar have reportedly said that earthquakes below magnitude 4 are generally not a cause for concern.
However, they noted that the reason behind so many quakes occurring in a short span needs further investigation.
Rajkot does not sit on a known fault line. But such seismic activity is reportedly not uncommon, especially after monsoon.
The last time Gujarat experienced quakes was in August last year. Two consecutive earthquakes rattled Kutch, though no casualties or significant damage were reported.
The familiar question springs to mind: why is Gujarat so vulnerable to quakes?
Gujarat is located on the Himalayan collision zone, where the Indo-Australian tectonic plate slides under the Eurasian plate. This puts the state on active fault lines, making it prone to frequent tremors.
However, some earthquakes occur as a consequence of stress building up due to intraplate faults.
The devastating 2001 earthquake was caused by such an intraplate movement, according to experts.
Unlike typical earthquakes at plate boundaries, intraplate quakes can strike when least expected.
Natural factors are not the only triggers. Human activities such as land-use changes, groundwater depletion, and heavy rainfall adding surface load can also stress fault lines.
While low-intensity quakes are common and generally harmless, experts emphasise that continuous monitoring, disaster preparedness, and resilient infrastructure are crucial to reducing long-term risks.
Institute of Seismological Research (ISR) scientists suggest that rainwater accumulation in the upper soil layers can increase hydraulic pressure, which may contribute to minor aftershocks.
Interestingly, there is a school of thought that holds that small earthquakes may not always be a bad thing for Gujarat. With so many fault lines running through the region, the ground is perennially under stress.
These minor tremors act as a natural release valve, easing built-up tension in the soil. Without them, the pressure could mount, increasing the risk of a much destructive earthquake.
Also Read: Moderate Earthquake Jolts Kutch In Early Morning https://www.vibesofindia.com/moderate-earthquake-jolts-kutch-in-early-morning/
