An earthquake struck Delhi and several areas in north India, according to a report by news agency ANI. Similar incidents occurred earlier this year, with tremors felt in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Jammu and Kashmir following a 5.2 magnitude earthquake in Afghanistan. Additionally, in March, there were strong tremors reported in Delhi, north India, Afghanistan, and Pakistan due to another earthquake.
Why does an earthquake happen?
Earthquakes occur due to the movement of tectonic plates, which are large sections of the Earth’s crust that float on the semi-fluid layer below called the asthenosphere. The Earth’s crust is divided into several tectonic plates that interact with each other along their boundaries. There are three main types of plate boundaries – Divergent Boundaries, Convergent Boundaries and Transform Boundaries.
The energy released during an earthquake propagates in the form of seismic waves, which shake the Earth’s surface and can cause significant damage to structures and infrastructure. It’s important to note that earthquakes can also occur within tectonic plates, away from plate boundaries. These are known as intraplate earthquakes and are generally less common but can still be significant.
While scientists have made significant progress in understanding the causes and patterns of earthquakes, accurately predicting when and where an earthquake will occur remains a challenge.
