Delhi-NCR has a history of earthquakes, with 446 recorded between 1993-2025. Recent tremor was 4.0 magnitude. Past quakes include events in 2007, 2020.
Delhi-NCR experienced a 4.0 magnitude earthquake on Monday, prompting a review of the region’s seismic history. The National Centre for Seismology (NCS) reported that the earthquake’s shallow depth of 5km contributed to the intensity of the tremors felt across Delhi-NCR, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh.
Seismic Activity Between 1993 and 2025
According to NCS data, the Delhi region has recorded 446 earthquakes between 1993 and 2025, with epicenters located within 50km of Monday’s earthquake or within the NCR states. These earthquakes ranged in magnitude from 1.1 to 4.6. A notable earthquake of magnitude 4.6 occurred on November 25, 2007, approximately 6km northwest of Monday’s epicenter.
Following Monday’s quake, NCS received 191 reports from residents across Delhi-NCR, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh within an hour. The NCS report indicated intensity levels ranging from II to III on the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale, with maximum intensity IV MMI reported in the epicentral region and minimum intensity III MMI within a 0-15km radius of the epicenter.
Cause of Recent Earthquake
The NCS clarified that Monday’s earthquake was not a result of plate movement, but rather due to “normal faulting.” This phenomenon supports the concept of hydro fracturing, where stress accumulation from gas or water causes the breaking of the base rock. The epicenter was located 5km beneath a lake bed in a park in southwest Delhi’s Dhaula Kuan, specifically Jheel Park.
The report stated, “The source zone beneath Jheel Park… is not associated with any of the known seismogenic faults. The quake rather occurred away from the Sohna and Mahendragarh Fault while it occurred near the set of several lineaments (weak zones) that might have broken due to structural heterogeneities embedded with past riverine or lacustrine deposits at depths through hydro-fracturing.”
Energy Release and Future Implications
The NCS report suggested that the recent earthquake might have released energy, potentially reducing the likelihood of a major earthquake in the future. “The signature of today’s earthquake, M4.0, is a good signature as the rock materials of the source zone released energy prior to reaching its maximum credible past earthquake M4.6 of 2007 that occurred in the same epicentre source zone… There is no report of any casualties in the area,” the report added.
Historical Seismic Events in Delhi-NCR
Delhi-NCR has a history of seismic activity. Between April and August 2020, NCS documented over 30 seismic events in the region. In 2022-23 (until March), the area recorded over 15 earthquakes, with the strongest measuring 3.8 in magnitude. Besides the 4.6 magnitude quake in 2007, other notable earthquakes near Monday’s epicenter include a 3.5 quake in April 2020 and a 4.5 magnitude temblor in May 2020.
The region has experienced significant earthquakes in the past, including the 1720 Delhi earthquake (6.5 magnitude), the 1903 Mathura earthquake (6.8 magnitude), and the 1956 Bulandshahar earthquake (6.7 magnitude). These events highlight the region’s vulnerability to seismic activity.
Strongest tremors in Delhi-NCR
Delhi-NCR experienced a 4.0 magnitude earthquake early on Monday, according to the National Center for Seismology.
Sources: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-sci-tech/explained-the-dawn-quake-in-delhi-9841653/
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/delhi-ncr-has-witnessed-446-earthquakes-in-past-32-years/articleshow/118343034.cms
https://www.indiatvnews.com/photos/india-delhi-earthquake-list-of-strongest-tremors-in-delhi-ncr-2025-02-17-976656