Friday’s low-magnitude earthquake in the city has drawn scientific attention to the epicentre area in Rajendranagar mandal.
The National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), which recorded the earthquake, will now keep an eye on the area where seismic activity has not been reported in the past. The earthquake measured 1.8 on the Richter scale.
“The low-magnitude earthquake was a one-off event and does not pose any threat. However, now that we know an earthquake has occurred, it will be added to our repository of information containing similar such locations. We will keep an eye on it,” said D. Srinagesh, head of NGRI’s Seismology Observatory.
Friday’s earthquake occurred at 10.36 p.m. and was picked up by seismic stations at Hyderabad, Killary in Maharashtra, Nagarjunsagar and Rampur in Adilabad district. NGRI pinpointed the epicenter at 17 degrees and 22 minutes North, 78 degrees and 4 minutes east. The quake is known to have occurred less than two km from the surface.
Tremors were felt in many areas including Jubilee Hills, Tolichowki, Rajendranagar and Pahadishareef, besides some parts of Old City.
Why they happen
Dr. Srinagesh said such earthquakes occur when very minute faults, usually in the range of millimetres or centimetres, rupture to release energy. They are not of concern, he assured while adding that the proximity of epicentre close to the surface makes the tremors audible. He further said the existence of granite in the earth’s crust in areas like Hyderabad would make for easy energy dissipation to far-flung areas.
Measuring 1.8 on the Richter scale, Friday’s low-magnitude earthquake will be added to existing knowledge of seismic activity
