Assam: 4.3 magnitude earthquake jolts state

Guwahati: An earthquake of magnitude 4.3 on the Richter scale hit Assam on Thursday with tremors felt across the state including Guwahati.

The earthquake occurred at 4.30 pm at a depth of 25 kilometres beneath the earth’s surface with the epicentre located in Nagaon district of Assam.

However, no casualty or damage to any property was reported due to the quake till the filing of this report.

The Northeastern states, including Assam, fall in the high seismic zone, with earthquakes frequently hitting the region.

As per the seismic zoning map of the country, the total area is classified into four seismic zones. Zone V is seismically the most active region, while zone II is the least.

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Approximately, 11 per cent area of the country falls in zone V, 18 per cent in zone IV, 30 per cent in zone III, and remaining in zone II.  

According to seismologists, the region experiences frequent earthquakes as it falls in the seismic V zone.

Assam has witnessed two major earthquakes in its history – 1897 and 1950.

The 1897 quake occurred on June 12, and had an estimated moment magnitude of 8.2-8.3. It resulted in approximately 1,542 human casualties besides causing catastrophic damage to infrastructures. 

The 1950 earthquake, also known as the Assam earthquake, occurred on August 15, and had a moment magnitude of 8.7. The epicentre was located in the Mishmi Hills.

Occurring at 7:39 pm, the quake was destructive in both Assam and Tibet. At least 4,800 people were killed as a result of the earthquake.