Erattupetta safe from earthquake

Kottayam: The National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS), Thiruvananthapuram, has ruled  out the possibility of any major earthquake occurring at Erattupetta where minor tremors were felt on Sunday. The tremor at Thevarupara near Erattupetta registered 1.5 on the Richter Scale, as per the NCESS data.

The quakes occurred in the zone from Deshamangalam to Erattupetta which has a history of earthquakes. In December 2000 and January 2001, quakes with intensity of  5.2 and 4.8 respectively on the Richter Scale  were recorded at Adukkam near Erattupetta.

The NCESS has begun mapping of the earthquake-prone places in the state. Dr V. Nandakumar, group head of the crustal programmes of NCESS,  said, “The minor tremors  at these places are good since they can diffuse the pressure accumulated under earth. Otherwise, the pressure will build up and explode with greater intensity,” he said.

Dr Nandakumar said the Indian plate is constantly moving towards north   and a lot of pressure is building up. The plate is a fault zone due to the breakage that occurred previously due to tremors.  

There is no possibility of a major earthquake in these places as there is no huge release of energy. Due to this, only mild tremors are likely to occur.   The Geological Survey of India has upgraded the state from zone two to zone three.

According to a study conducted by the Centre for Earth Science Studies, Thiruvananthapuram,  and IIT Roorkee, following the  2000 tremors, a severe  earthquake ranging up to 6.5 on the Richter Scale can take place in the state.