The North News
New Delhi, February 17
A 4.0-magnitude earthquake struck Delhi early on Monday, sending strong tremors across the national capital and nearby areas. The unexpected intensity of the shaking alarmed residents, with some reporting a loud sound preceding the tremors.
The unusual strength of the quake, despite its relatively low magnitude, was attributed to its epicenter being within Delhi itself. Srijan Pal Singh, a former advisor to India’s 11th president and founder of Kalam Centre and Homi Lab, explained the phenomenon.“The Delhi earthquake was around 4.0 on the Richter scale. That is not very high, but you felt stronger tremors because the epicenter was within Delhi. This is how quakes feel at the epicenter,” Singh said in a social media post.
He further noted that residents likely heard a loud sonic boom before the shaking due to the release of two seismic waves—P-waves (primary) and S-waves (secondary). “P-waves travel faster than S-waves, which cause most of the shaking. We heard the rumbling and a loud boom before feeling the quake as the P-wave hit first, with high intensity,” he added.
The earthquake, which struck at approximately 5:36 a.m., caused panic among those who experienced the jolts. However, there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged calm, stating, “Tremors were felt in Delhi and nearby areas. Urging everyone to stay calm and follow safety precautions. Authorities are keeping a close watch on the situation.”
