A powerful earthquake measuring **7.1 in magnitude** struck near the Nepal-Tibet border on January 7, 2025, shaking the ground in several northern parts of **India**, including **Delhi-NCR** and **Bihar**. This earthquake, reported by the **United States Geological Survey (USGS)**, was felt distinctly across these regions, prompting many residents to evacuate buildings out of caution. Fortunately, there were no reports of property damage, and people remained safe during the incident.

The haunting memories of the **2015 Nepal earthquakes** still resonate, as those events resulted in significant loss of life and infrastructure damage. Such earthquakes are natural incidents that occur when energy is abruptly released from the Earth’s crust, sending shockwaves that cause the ground to shake. This energy release is recorded using instruments known as **seismographs**.

Understanding how earthquakes occur is crucial. They are primarily caused by the movement of large sections of the Earth’s surface, known as **tectonic plates**. These plates float on a semi-fluid layer beneath the crust and are in constant slow motion. As they interact—colliding, separating, or sliding past one another—they generate the vibrations that produce earthquakes. The major types of plate movements include **convergent boundaries** (where plates collide), **divergent boundaries** (where they pull apart), and **transform boundaries** (where plates slide sideways). Besides tectonic actions, volcanic activity and human-induced factors like mining and dam construction may also trigger significant ground vibrations.

Given its geographical positioning, **India** lies within a seismically active region. The country is on the collisional boundary between the **Indian Plate** and the **Eurasian Plate**, forming the **Himalayan mountain range**, a hotspot for seismic activity. Northern India experiences frequent earthquakes due to the constant movement of these tectonic plates.

The **Himalayan region** is particularly susceptible to earthquakes and often experiences severe quakes that can result in extensive damage and loss of life. Similarly, **Northeast India** is another seismically active area due to its location at the confluence of the Indian, Eurasian, and Burma plates.

India’s landscape has been categorized into various **earthquake zones** based on their potential intensity as per the **Modified Mercalli (MM) scale**. A significant portion (approximately **40.93%**) of the country falls within **Zone II**, which represents low-intensity regions. **Zone III** includes moderate intensity areas like **Kerala** and parts of **Punjab** and **Rajasthan**, comprising around **30.79%**. The **high-intensity Zone IV** encompasses regions such as **Jammu & Kashmir** and **Delhi**, representing **17.49%** of the area. The most severe risk, found in **Zone V**, covers about **10.79%** of India, reaching areas like **North Bihar** and the **Rann of Kutch** in **Gujarat**.

This recent seismic event serves as a reminder of the need for heightened awareness and preparedness regarding earthquakes in regions like India. For further details on the earthquake and its implications, visit the original article on India Times [here](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/etimes/trending/earthquake-of-7-1-magnitude-tremors-felt-in-india-why-earthquakes-happen-and-is-india-in-danger-zone/articleshow/117010192.cms).