Ladakh earthquake: An earthquake of magnitude 4.1 struck Ladakh early Thursday, according to the National Center for Seismology (NCS). The tremor was recorded at 03:54:49 IST with its epicentre in Leh at a depth of 150 km. No injury death or damage has been reported.
Recent earthquakes in India this month
Earlier this month, several parts of India and nearby regions experienced seismic activity. On April 21, an earthquake of magnitude 5.2 jolted Manipur, with its epicentre in Kamjong. The tremor was recorded at 05:59:33 IST and originated at a depth of 62 km, indicating a moderately deep event.
In a post on X, the NCS said, “EQ of M: 5.2, On: 21/04/2026 05:59:33 IST, Lat: 24.703 N, Long: 94.415 E, Depth: 62 Km, Location: Kamjong, Manipur.”
Uttarakhand and Indian Ocean earthquake
Similarly, on April 14, Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district was hit by an earthquake of magnitude 3.4. There were no immediate reports of damage to property or casualties. According to NCS data, the quake occurred at a shallow depth of 5 km at 07:07:03 IST, with coordinates at latitude 30.285 N and longitude 80.553 E.
In a post on X, NCS said, “EQ of M: 3.4, On: 14/04/2026 07:07:03 IST, Lat: 30.285 N, Long: 80.553 E, Depth: 5 Km, Location: Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand.”
On April 12, a magnitude 4.9 earthquake struck the Indian Ocean. The NCS reported that the quake occurred at a depth of 10 km.
EQ of M: 4.9, On: 12/04/2026 08:10:38 IST, Lat: 1.806 N, Long: 94.924 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Indian Ocean”, NCS said.
Earthquakes may take place anywhere from the Earth’s surface down to about 700 kilometers beneath it. For scientific classifications, based on United States Geological Survey (USGS) data, the depth range of 0 to 700 km is divided into three categories: shallow, intermediate, and deep.
Shallow earthquakes happen at depths of 0 to 70 km; intermediate earthquakes are found at depths of 70 to 300 km; while deep earthquakes occur at depths ranging from 300 to 700 km. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) typically employs the term “deep-focus earthquakes” for those that happen at depths exceeding 70 km.
Shallow earthquakes tend to be more hazardous than deep ones. This is due to the fact that the seismic waves from shallow earthquakes have a shorter distance to reach the surface, leading to stronger ground shaking and possibly more destruction to buildings, as well as higher casualties.
Bureau Report
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