National News : Earthquake tremors were felt in Sikkim at 6:57 am on Friday. Its intensity on the Richter scale was measured at 4.4. Even though the epicentre of the earthquake was in Sikkim, its tremors were felt in Bihar as well. Many people felt the quake in Kishanganj, Bihar. The earthquake's epicentre was also very close to Siliguri in West Bengal. In such a situation, its effect was also felt in West Bengal and Bihar in India. At the same time, tremors of the earthquake were also felt in Nepal and Bhutan.

The intensity of the earthquake was not high. Due to this, there was not much loss of life and property. During the rainy season, there is a high risk of landslides in hilly areas when an earthquake occurs. Landslides can cause great devastation. Recently, a large number of people were killed due to landslides in Wayanad.

Why do earthquakes occur?

In recent times, an increase in the number of earthquakes has been seen in many areas of the country and the world. There are 7 tectonic plates inside our earth. These plates keep rotating in their places continuously. However, sometimes there is a collision or friction between them. This is the reason why earthquakes are seen on the earth.

Every year, around 20 thousand earthquakes occur in the world

Every year around 20 thousand earthquakes occur in the world but their intensity is not so high that people suffer heavy losses. The National Earthquake Information Center records these earthquakes. According to information, only 100 out of 20 thousand earthquakes cause damage. The longest lasting earthquake in history so far occurred in the Indian Ocean in 2004. This earthquake was felt for 10 minutes. 

How can we estimate the intensity of an earthquake on the Richter scale?

• 0 to 1.9 Information is obtained from seismograph
• 2 to 2.9 indicates very low vibration
• 3 to 3.9 It will feel like a heavy vehicle has passed by
• 4 to 4.9 Household items may fall from their places 
• 5 to 5.9 Heavy items and furniture may move
• 6 to 6.9 Base of building may crack 
• 7 to 7.9 buildings collapse 
• Threat of tsunami of magnitude 8 to 8.9, more destruction
• 9 or more is the most severe disaster, the tremor of the earth will be clearly felt