Earthquake in Seoni, Madhya Pradesh
An earthquake of 3.6 Magnitude occurred on March 13, 2024, at around 8 P.M. IST. According to the National Centre for Seismology, the epicentre was at Seoni (Lat: 22.10 & Long: 79.53), Madhya Pradesh. The depth of focus was 5 KM. The National Centre for Seismology (NCS) is a government agency under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, which is responsible for monitoring and tracking earthquakes around the country. No injuries or damages were reported from Seoni, as the earthquake was mild in intensity.
Location of Seoni
Seoni is a city located in Madhya Pradesh, India. It lies in the southern part of the state and is covered by lush green forests. Some of the famous places to visit in Seoni include the Pench Tiger Reserve and the Satpura Range.
Hazard Risk
Seoni, Madhya Pradesh, lies in Zone II of India’s Seismic Hazard Map, is country’s least active seismic region. Seoni is located in the peninsular region of India, which is considered a seismically stable zone. However, such areas may also experience mild earthquakes due to stresses and strains within the stable plates. These may also be induced by human activities or natural processes that alter the isostatic balance.
Earthquakes in Other Areas
On the same day, an earthquake of 4.2 magnitude was observed in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The epicentre was located in Afghanistan (Lat: 36.49 & Long: 71.19). Afghanistan sits on converging tectonic plates (Indian and Eurasian) in the active Hindu Kush mountains, creating frequent earthquakes. On March 12, 2024, an earthquake of 4.2 magnitude was observed in the Andaman Sea. The Andaman Sea lies above the subduction zone where the Indian plate is going under the Burmese plate, creating friction and frequent earthquakes.
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Conclusion
In India, Union and State governments are tackling earthquake risk through various initiatives, such as enforcing earthquake-resistant construction practices through the updated National Building Code (NBC), upgrading earthquake risk maps, and raising awareness through mobile applications. For example, the Uttarakhand Bhookamp Alert App was developed by the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee.