What Caused the Tremors in Vizag and Alluri Districts?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Earthquake magnitude: 3.7
- Epicenter: G. Madugula, Alluri Sitharamaraju
- No reported casualties or damage
- Region is tectonically stable
- Tremors felt in multiple neighborhoods of Visakhapatnam
Visakhapatnam, Nov 4 (NationPress) – On Tuesday, the districts of Visakhapatnam and Alluri Sitharamaraju in Andhra Pradesh were shaken by a minor earthquake. Officials reported that an earthquake measuring 3.7 on the Richter scale struck the Alluri district in north coastal Andhra early in the morning.
The tremors caused alarm among the local populace, prompting many to evacuate their homes upon hearing a loud noise. Fortunately, there were no incidents of injury or property damage.
The tremors were felt in Visakhapatnam between 4.16 a.m. and 4.20 a.m.
Residents across various neighborhoods in Visakhapatnam, including Arilova, Adivivaram, Madhavadhara, Akkayyapalem, HB Colony, Allipuram, Endada, Bheemili, Simhachalam, and Pendurthi experienced the tremors.
The National Center of Seismology stated that the earthquake's epicenter was located in G. Madugula in the Alluri Sitharamaraju district at a depth of 10 km, approximately 110 km from the port city of Visakhapatnam.
Experts characterized this event as a shallow earthquake with a magnitude of 3.7. They reassured the public that there is no cause for concern, as the tremors resulted from minor structural adjustments, noting that the region is generally deemed tectonically stable.
Furthermore, the National Center for Seismology reported that an earthquake measuring 4.7 magnitude was felt across parts of India, Nepal, Bangladesh, China, and Bhutan early Tuesday, with its epicenter located four km from Shigaste in Tibet.
Previously, on December 4, 2024, regions in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh experienced a tremor registering 5.3 on the Richter scale, with Medaram in the Mulugu district of Telangana being the epicenter.
The intensity of the tremors was notably high in districts adjacent to the banks of the Godavari River in both Telugu states. This was the second occurrence of an earthquake exceeding 5 on the Richter Scale in the region over the past 55 years.
Notably, the area previously experienced an earthquake measuring 5.7 on April 13, 1969, with Bhadrachalam identified as its epicenter.
According to scientists, both seismic events are linked to the Godavari rift valley, classified as a fault zone.