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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
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