Earthquakes of the Indian Subcontinent: Seismotectonic Perspectives

This book discusses significant historical and recent earthquakes in India, highlighting their tectonic and geodynamic significance and discussing future earthquake hazard scenarios.

Format: Hardback
Length: 253 pages
Publication date: 01 March 2022
Publisher: Springer Verlag, Singapore

This captivating book delves into a selection of intriguing recent and historical earthquakes that have occurred in India and its surrounding regions. From the devastating Uttarkashi earthquake of 1803 to the catastrophic Kutch earthquake of 1819, the seismic events of the past have left a lasting impact on the country. Moreover, the book explores the seismic significance of modern earthquakes, particularly in the context of historical earthquakes such as the 1897 Shillong earthquake and the 1934 Nepal-Bihar earthquake. By employing the latest understanding of tectonic and geodynamic processes, the book sheds light on the mechanisms behind these catastrophic events. Furthermore, it provides detailed expositions of seismotectonics, offering a comprehensive understanding of the geological factors that contribute to earthquakes. The book concludes with a thoughtful examination of the future earthquake hazard scenario in India, taking into account the lessons learned from past earthquakes and the evolving understanding of seismic activity in the region. This insightful work is a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers, and anyone interested in understanding the complex dynamics of earthquakes and their impact on human societies.

Introduction:
Earthquakes are one of nature's most destructive forces, capable of causing widespread devastation and loss of life. India, being located in a highly seismically active region, has experienced its fair share of seismic events throughout history. In this book, we will explore some of the most significant earthquakes that have occurred in India and their impact on the country and its people.
Historical Earthquakes:
The Uttarkashi earthquake of 1803 is considered one of the most devastating earthquakes in Indian history. It occurred on 16th April 1803 and had a magnitude of 7.8 on the Richter scale. The earthquake caused widespread destruction and loss of life, particularly in the Uttarakhand region. The Kutch earthquake of 1819 is another significant event that left a lasting impact on India. It occurred on 26th January 1819 and had a magnitude of 7.9 on the Richter scale. The earthquake caused widespread destruction and loss of life, particularly in the Kutch region. The 1934 Nepal-Bihar earthquake is another notable earthquake that struck India. It occurred on 15th April 1934 and had a magnitude of 8.1 on the Richter scale. The earthquake caused widespread destruction and loss of life, particularly in the Bihar and Nepal regions.
Modern Earthquakes:
In recent years, India has experienced several significant earthquakes. The 1950 Upper Assam earthquake is one of the most notable events. It occurred on 1st April 1950 and had a magnitude of 7.8 on the Richter scale. The earthquake caused widespread destruction and loss of life, particularly in the Assam region. The 1967 Koyna earthquake is another significant event that struck India. It occurred on 1st June 1967 and had a magnitude of 7.5 on the Richter scale. The earthquake caused widespread destruction and loss of life, particularly in the Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh regions. The 1993 Killari earthquake is another notable event that struck India. It occurred on 23rd December 1993 and had a magnitude of 7.6 on the Richter scale. The earthquake caused widespread destruction and loss of life, particularly in the Andhra Pradesh region. The 1997 Jabalpur earthquake is another significant event that struck India. It occurred on 23rd January 1997 and had a magnitude of 7.8 on the Richter scale. The earthquake caused widespread destruction and loss of life, particularly in the Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan regions. The 2001 Bhuj earthquake is another notable event that struck India. It occurred on 26th January 2001 and had a magnitude of 7.8 on the Richter scale. The earthquake caused widespread destruction and loss of life, particularly in the Gujarat region. The 2004 Sumatra-Andaman earthquake is another significant event that struck India. It occurred on 26th December 2004 and had a magnitude of 9.1 on the Richter scale. The earthquake caused widespread destruction and loss of life, particularly in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Sumatra region. The 2005 Kashmir earthquake is another significant event that struck India. It occurred on 8th October 2005 and had a magnitude of 7.6 on the Richter scale. The earthquake caused widespread destruction and loss of life, particularly in the Kashmir region. The 2015 Nepal earthquake is another significant event that struck India. It occurred on 25th April 2015 and had a magnitude of 7.8 on the Richter scale. The earthquake caused widespread destruction and loss of life, particularly in the Kathmandu Valley and the Gorkha and Lamjung districts.
Tectonic and Geodynamic Significance:
The modern (after the advent of global network) earthquakes in relation to some of the historical earthquakes like the 1819 Kachchh and 1897 Shillong and 1934 Nepal-Bihar earthquakes in the light of newer understanding is discussed. It also contains detailed expositions of seismotectonics and mechanisms of each earthquake. It concludes with touching upon future earthquake hazard scenario in India in view of the present and past earthquakes.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, this book highlights some of the interesting recent and historical earthquakes that have occurred in India and in the vicinity. The tectonic and geodynamic significance of the modern (after the advent of global network) earthquakes in relation to some of the historical earthquakes like the 1819 Kachchh and 1897 Shillong and 1934 Nepal-Bihar earthquakes in the light of newer understanding is discussed. It also contains detailed expositions of seismotectonics and mechanisms of each earthquake. The book concludes with touching upon future earthquake hazard scenario in India in view of the present and past earthquakes.

Weight: 571g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789811647475
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022