India is located in a seismically active region and is home to several earthquake zones. Some of the major earthquake zones in India are:
- Himalayan Belt: The Himalayan belt is the most seismically active region in India and is prone to earthquakes due to the ongoing collision between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate. The 2015 Nepal earthquake, which had a magnitude of 7.8, was one of the deadliest earthquakes to hit the region.
- Indo-Gangetic Plains: The Indo-Gangetic Plains, which includes areas like Delhi, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh, are prone to earthquakes due to the movement of the Indian Plate. The 2001 Gujarat earthquake, which had a magnitude of 7.7, caused widespread damage and claimed thousands of lives in the region.
- Northeastern Region: The northeastern region of India, which includes states like Assam, Meghalaya, and Mizoram, is prone to earthquakes due to its proximity to the Himalayan belt. The 1950 Assam-Tibet earthquake, which had a magnitude of 8.6, was one of the strongest earthquakes to hit the region in recent history.
- Western Coast: The western coast of India, which includes the states of Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka, is prone to earthquakes due to its location near the Arabian Sea. The 1993 Latur earthquake, which had a magnitude of 6.3, caused significant damage in the region.
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are located in a seismically active region and are prone to earthquakes due to the movement of the Indian Plate. The islands were hit by a devastating earthquake in 2004, which had a magnitude of 9.1 and triggered a massive tsunami that claimed thousands of lives.
It is important for people living in these earthquake-prone regions to be prepared and have emergency plans in place in case of a major earthquake. The Indian government has also taken several measures to improve earthquake preparedness and reduce the impact of earthquakes in the region.