Residents of Kishtwar in the Jammu & Kashmir region once again felt the unsettling tremors of an earthquake. At 11:01 PM Friday night, the area was struck by a quake measuring 3.2 in magnitude, marking the second occurrence of seismic activity in the same day.
Following the quake, people swiftly exited their homes, seeking safety. Fortunately, there have been no reports of casualties. Earlier that Friday, seismic shocks were also felt in the Kishtwar and Doda districts. Additionally, neighboring Himachal Pradesh experienced similar tremors the day before.
Understanding Earthquakes: The Why and How
To grasp the concept of earthquakes, one must understand the structure of the Earth. Our planet rests on tectonic plates floating above molten lava. Occasionally, these plates collide, and with constant friction, edges can warp, leading to breaks under stress. The energy seeking an escape route from beneath the Earth's crust causes disturbances that result in earthquakes.
Measuring Earthquake Intensity
Earthquakes are gauged on the Richter scale, a mathematical tool also known as the Richter magnitude scale. The scale rates the earthquake's epicenter intensity from 1 to 9. It quantifies the energy released during an earthquake based on the vibration amplitude.
