Tremors were felt across India and as far as Ongole in Andhra Pradesh because of the huge energy generated by the earthquake waves, according to D. Srinagesh, Seismologist at the CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI).
Dr. Srinagesh, who was on his way to Hyderabad from Guwahati, told The Hindu that the energy generated by the waves shook the ground for some time in the wake of the almost large earthquake of 7.9 magnitude on the Richter Scale that hit Nepal.
He said the ground motion would get amplified if the local site has alluvial soil and clay, while pointing out that every part of the Indo-Gangetic plain shook.
He said Nepal was one of the highly seismic regions and situated on the Indo-Eurasian collision zone.
Directional slip According to another NGRI seismologist, Dr. Vineet Gahalaut, who is in the Kumaon region in Uttarakhand, the directional slip (ruptured directivity) of the earthquake occurred from north to south in the epicentre region. Because of the ruptured directivity, regions close to south of the epicentre experienced more ground motion that those to the east and west of the epicentre.
Another senior NGRI seismologist, R.K. Chadha said any earthquake close to eight magnitude would be felt up to 2,000 km as it would generate tremendous energy, he said.
Massive earthquake in Nepal; over 1,500 killed
7.9 earthquake in Nepal; tremors felt across north India
A strong 7.9-magnitude earthquake shook Nepal's capital causing massive damage. Some tremors are reported to have lasted as much as 20 seconds.