Our Special Correspondent
Hyderabad: A moderate earthquake, registering a magnitude of 5.0 on the Richter scale, struck the Godavari Valley Rift near Mulugu, Telangana, at 7:28 am today. The epicenter, located approximately 120 km from Hyderabad, had a depth of 10 km below the surface.
The National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) confirmed the quake occurred in Seismic Zone III, classified as a moderately seismic active zone according to India’s Seismic Zoning Map.
Dr. R.K. Chadha, a prominent seismologist, explained that the earthquake was an intra-plate event, meaning it occurred within the stable Indian Peninsular shield rather than along a tectonic boundary. “These earthquakes typically happen along weak zones, such as rift valleys,” he said, citing the Godavari Rift, Narmada-Son Rift, and the western coastal margins as examples.
The movement of the Indian tectonic plate northward causes stress accumulation in these areas. Most of this stress is relieved along the Himalayan boundary, where major quakes of magnitudes between 5 and 6 are frequent. However, the Peninsular shield, being relatively stable, only experiences moderate quakes every few decades. Dr. Chadha noted that such quakes in the region can reach magnitudes up to 6.5.
Historical records indicate similar seismic activity in the region. “In 1969, a 5.7 magnitude quake struck Bhadrachalam, and in 1983, a 4.3 magnitude event was recorded near Toopran,” Dr. Chadha recalled. He added that these events typically occur along strike-slip faults, where horizontal movement of the plates is the primary cause.
Shallow earthquakes, such as today’s, can be felt up to 150 km from the epicenter. If the magnitude exceeds 6.0, tremors could be experienced even beyond 200 km, as seen in the Latur earthquake of 1993, which was felt as far as Hyderabad.
Despite the tremors, no significant damage or injuries have been reported. Dr. Chadha reassured residents that well-constructed buildings, especially those built with reinforced cement concrete (RCC), are unlikely to suffer major damage. At most, minor cracks may appear around windows or beam joints. “Total collapse of well-built structures is rare unless substandard materials are used,” he emphasized.
Addressing misconceptions, Dr. Chadha dismissed claims linking earthquakes to climate change. “Earthquakes result from tectonic forces, not climatic factors. Such theories are scientifically unfounded,” he clarified.
Authorities continue to monitor the area, but experts believe there is no cause for alarm. Residents have been advised to remain calm and adhere to basic earthquake safety guidelines.
