On Tuesday morning, August 20, 2024, Jammu and Kashmir experienced two consecutive earthquakes that caused widespread alarm across the region. The first tremor, recorded at 4.9 on the Richter scale, struck at 6:45 a.m. with its epicenter in Baramulla district, located in north Kashmir. This quake occurred at a shallow depth of 5 kilometers, at coordinates 34.17°N latitude and 74.16°E longitude.
Merely seven minutes later, at 6:52 a.m., a second earthquake with a magnitude of 4.8 jolted the same area. This tremor was deeper, occurring at a depth of 10 kilometers. The epicenter for this quake was also in Baramulla, but slightly farther at coordinates 34.20°N latitude and 74.31°E longitude.
Despite the intensity of the quakes, there were no reports of casualties or significant damage to property. Local authorities are closely monitoring the situation and have assured the public of their vigilance.
Jammu and Kashmir is situated in Seismic Zone 5, the most seismically active region in India. The region's mountainous terrain and dense population heighten the potential risk of damage from earthquakes. India, which lies on the Indian tectonic plate, frequently experiences seismic activity due to its collision with the Eurasian plate, particularly in the northern and northeastern regions, where the terrain is more vulnerable to such natural events.
As the region remains on alert, authorities continue to assess the situation for any further developments.
