Moderate Tremor Shakes Gujarat's Kutch Region, Stirring Memories of the Past

Gujarat/Bhuj: A moderate earthquake measuring 4.3 on the Richter scale sent tremors through the Kutch district of Gujarat last night at 11.26 pm IST, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. While the quake caused moments of alarm among residents, initial reports indicate no significant damage or loss of life.

The National Centre for Seismology (NCS), India's nodal agency for monitoring earthquake activity, confirmed the event occurred at approximately 11.26 pm IST. According to NCS data, the seismic activity originated at a relatively shallow depth of 20 kilometres beneath the Earth's surface.

The earthquake's epicentre was located about 23 kilometres north-northeast (NNE) of Rapar in Kutch and 160km NNW of Rajkot, Gujarat.

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The Science Behind the Quake

Earthquakes originating at shallower depths, like this one, often result in more pronounced shaking felt at the surface near the epicentre, even if the magnitude isn't exceptionally high. A magnitude 4.3 earthquake falls into the 'Light' category – strong enough to be distinctly felt by people indoors and outdoors, potentially causing hanging objects to swing and rattling windows or dishes, but typically resulting in minimal structural damage, especially to well-constructed buildings.

The Kutch region is no stranger to seismic activity. Geologically, it sits atop the Kutch Rift Basin, a zone characterised by several active fault lines.

This region experiences stress due to the ongoing collision between the Indian tectonic plate and the Eurasian plate further north. This immense pressure builds up over time along these fault lines (zones of weakness in the Earth's crust) and is periodically released in the form of earthquakes.

The occurrence of this tremor serves as a reminder of the dynamic geological processes constantly shaping the region.

A Region Shaped by Seismic History

For many residents, yesterday's tremors inevitably brought back unsettling memories of the devastating Bhuj earthquake of January 26, 2001. That magnitude 7.7 earthquake caused widespread destruction and tragic loss of life, fundamentally altering the region.

Due to this history and its geological makeup, Kutch is classified as a Zone V region, indicating the highest level of seismic hazard potential in India.

Yesterday evening, reports described residents feeling the distinct shaking, prompting some to momentarily move out of their homes as a precaution – a common reaction in areas familiar with seismic risk.

Thankfully, the initial anxiety gave way to relief as news spread that the event had not caused major harm. Local authorities are likely conducting further assessments, but the immediate situation appears stable.

This event underscores the persistent seismic vulnerability of the Kutch region and highlights the importance of continued earthquake preparedness, stringent building codes, and public awareness initiatives in mitigating risks associated with future, potentially stronger, seismic events.