Earthquake of 3.2 magnitude in Kutch, Gujarat

Earthquake tremors were felt in the Kutch district of Gujarat on Sunday morning. According to the Institute of Seismological Research (ISR), the magnitude of the earthquake was measured at 3.2. The Gandhinagar-based ISR said that the earthquake occurred at 10.06 am and its epicenter was located 18 km north-north-east of Bhachau.

The district administration said that there is no news of any casualty or damage to property. This is the third earthquake of more than three magnitude in the district this month. An earthquake of 3.7 magnitude hit Kutch on December 23. According to ISR, an earthquake of 3.2 magnitude was recorded in the district on December 7.

Inside the earth, 7 plates keep rotating continuously. The zone where the collision between these plates occurs more is called the fault line. The corners of plates bend due to repeated collision. When more pressure gets built up, the breaking of plates starts. The energy below finds a way to come out and after disturbance earthquake occurs.

The epicenter is the place just below where geological energy is released due to the movement of the plates. The more earthquake vibration is at this place. As the frequency of vibration goes away, its effect decreases. Still, if there is an earthquake of 7 or more magnitude on the Richter scale, then the tremor is strong in the surrounding 40 km radius. It does, however, depend upon if the seismic frequency is upwards or in range. It if the vibration frequency is upwards, then less area would be affected.

Earthquake is measured on the Richter scale. This is called the Richter Magnitude Test Scale. On the Richter scale, earthquakes are measured on the basis of 1 to 9. Earthquakes are measured from its center i.e. the epicenter. The intensity of the energy released from within the earth during an earthquake is measured by this. The intensity of the earthquake shock is estimated from this intensity.