Two moderate earthquakes measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale struck different parts of India in the early hours of Monday, with tremors reported in the Nicobar Islands and Jammu and Kashmir. According to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), the first quake occurred at 3.31 am in the Nicobar Islands region at a shallow depth of 10 km, with its epicentre located at latitude 9.03° North and longitude 92.78° East. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands fall under Seismic Zone V, the highest risk category in India, and are considered among the most seismically active regions in the world due to their proximity to major tectonic plate boundaries.

Authorities noted that shallow earthquakes, such as the one reported in the Nicobar Islands, often pose a higher risk as seismic waves travel a shorter distance to the surface, leading to stronger ground shaking. The region has a long history of major seismic events, including the catastrophic December 26, 2004 earthquake that triggered massive tsunami waves, causing widespread loss of life and destruction across the islands.
 

Hours later, another earthquake of the same magnitude struck Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district at around 5.35 am, officials said. The epicentre was identified in the Pattan area. While the tremors were felt across parts of the district, there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage to property. Local authorities continue to monitor the situation.

Agencies