Mon Feb 17 04:56:41 UTC 2025: ## Delhi Jolted by 4.0 Magnitude Earthquake
**NEW DELHI, February 17, 2025** – A 4.0 magnitude earthquake struck Delhi-NCR early Monday morning, shaking the national capital and surrounding areas. The National Center for Seismology (NCS) reported the quake hit at 5:36 am at a shallow depth of five kilometers, resulting in strong tremors felt across the region. A second 4.0 magnitude quake struck Bihar later in the morning at a depth of 10 kilometers.
Shallow earthquakes, defined as those occurring between 0 and 70 kilometers below the surface, are known to cause more damage than deeper quakes due to less energy dissipation during their travel to the surface. NCS Director O.P. Mishra identified the epicenter of the Delhi quake near Jheel Park in Dhaula Kuan. The shallow depth is cited as the reason for the intensity of the tremors felt by residents.
While a quake’s magnitude is a key factor, the USGS emphasizes that damage also depends on factors like distance from the epicenter, soil type, and building construction. The destructive potential of a quake isn’t solely determined by its magnitude, highlighting the importance of preparedness and building codes in earthquake-prone regions. The article references the devastating impact of a 5.6 magnitude earthquake in Indonesia in November 2022 as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of shallow earthquakes.
First Piper 