SRINAGAR: A series of shallow earthquakes struck the Indian Ocean on Thursday, the National Centre for Seismology (NCS) reported, raising concerns of potential aftershocks due to the low-depth seismic activity.
According to the NCS, the strongest of the quakes—measuring magnitude 6.4—occurred at 10.26 am IST at a depth of 10 km, with its epicentre located at 2.99°N, 96.23°E. A short while later, a magnitude 5.3 tremor was recorded at 11.02 am IST, also at a depth of 10 km, centred at 1.30°N, 96.87°E.
The agency earlier confirmed another magnitude 4.8 earthquake at 1.24 am IST, occurring at the same shallow depth.
Seismologists note that shallow earthquakes pose a greater risk, as seismic waves travel a shorter distance to the surface, resulting in stronger ground shaking and potentially more damage.
The region has a history of major seismic events. On December 26, 2004, a magnitude 9.2–9.3 undersea megathrust earthquake off the coast of northern Sumatra triggered the catastrophic Boxing Day Tsunami, which killed an estimated 227,898 people across 14 countries. It remains the deadliest tsunami ever recorded and one of the most devastating natural disasters in history.
