Skip to main content

Why Did the Earth Shake in Delhi?

 In February 2025, a 4.0 magnitude earthquake shook Delhi. It was a shallow earthquake, meaning it happened close to the Earth’s surface. Scientists say it was caused by water movement underground — a process called hydro fracturing — near ancient fault lines in the Aravalli-Delhi Fold Belt.

An earthquake happens when rocks deep under the Earth suddenly move and release energy. This energy travels as seismic waves, which make the ground shake. Sometimes the shaking is light and barely noticeable, and sometimes it can cause major damage depending on how much energy is released and how close it is to the surface.

The Delhi earthquake was called a “shallow” earthquake because it happened just 5 kilometers below the ground. Shallow earthquakes are felt more strongly because the energy has less distance to travel to reach the surface. Even though the Delhi quake was only 4.0 on the Richter Scale, many people felt it sharply because of how close it was to the surface.

An AI generated image explaining the why of Delhi’s Earthquake

Delhi lies on very old fault lines like the Sohana Fault and Mahendragarh Fault. Scientists believe hydro fracturing — when underground water breaks through rocks and causes pressure to build up — triggered this earthquake. These ancient faults, though inactive most of the time, can still react when new stress is added.

Earthquakes are measured in two ways: the Richter Scale tells us how much energy was released (the magnitude), while the Mercalli Scale tells us how strongly people felt it (the intensity). The 4.0 magnitude in Delhi was moderate, but because it was shallow, the intensity felt higher.

To stay safe during earthquakes, it’s important to build stronger homes, schools, and public buildings. People should also practice "Drop, Cover, and Hold" drills, where you quickly drop to the ground, protect your head, and stay under something sturdy. Quick thinking and training can save lives when an earthquake hits.

By learning more about fault lines, underground movements, and staying prepared, we can make sure that even sudden earthquakes don’t turn into big disasters.

WRITTEN BY NOORIE, GRADE 9
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Goal-Getter in the Making: Suraj Kumar Inspires with Talent and Grit

  Whether he’s scoring goals for Sigma FC or acing his exams, this young athlete is proving that balance is the key to success. Meet Suraj Kumar, a grade 9 student at Sarvodaya Co-Ed Senior Sec. School who’s quickly becoming the talk of the community—thanks to his standout performances on the football field. Playing as a striker for the Sigma FC team, Suraj helped lead his squad to victory in the Inter-Club Championship, netting two goals and setting up another. Balancing schoolwork and football isn’t easy, but Suraj makes it look effortless. Despite long hours of training and weekend matches, Suraj maintains strong grades and is known in school for his discipline and time management. “I try to give equal importance to both studies and football,” Suraj shares. “It’s not easy, but I’ve learned to manage my time well.” His success wouldn't be possible without the constant support of his parents. They have played a major role in helping him pursue his dreams. “They ensure that I stick...
Post a Comment
Read more

MODERN WARFARE: Faster, Smarter, Deadlier

  How Drones, Artificial intelligence and Hypersonic Missiles Are Changing the Rules of Warfare T oday, technology is moving faster than ever, and it’s changing how wars are fought. Countries aren’t just using tanks, jets, and soldiers anymore. Now, drones, artificial intelligence (AI), and super-fast missiles are leading battles and making wars even more dangerous. Recently, Iran surprised experts by using drones and the Hypersonic Fattah Missiles to attack Israel’s Iron Dome. The Iron Dome is famous for stopping missiles, but this time, it struggled. Iran’s smart use of cheap, low-flying drones and fast missiles showed that even the best defenses can be beaten. Photo Source: Mehr News Agency Russia has also used drones in its war with Ukraine. Russian forces have launched Iranian-made Shahed Drones that crash into targets and explode. Because they come in big groups, they are hard to stop and cause a lot of damage. This way, Russia causes a lot of damage without spending too ...
Post a Comment
Read more