Teams of seismologists reach area of epicentre for further investigation; say probability of a big quake extremely low.
When a quake of 5.3 magnitude jolted the state on Thursday, Gujarat re-lived the horrific memories of the devastating 2001 earthquake. But there is some good news coming from seismologists.
According to them, the quake has given an outlet to the energy stored beneath the earth’s surface and this means the probability of a big earthquake is extremely low.
But they are not ruling out aftershocks which may be experienced for atleast a week.
Meanwhile, Sasan, which is close to the epicentre Vanthali in Junagadh, also experienced some 42 aftershocks on Friday till 9 in the night. The highest magnitude of the aftershock was 4.1 while the lowest was 1.4. Teams of experts from the Institute of Seismological Research (ISR), Gandhinagar and Geological Survey of India (GSI) have reached Sasan Gir for post earthquake studies on October 21. Scientists working on earthquake research at ISR said that post 2007, this is a new earthquake for the Saurashtra region. “Before the 5.3 magnitude earthquake struck the region on Thursday, it had experienced another quake of 5.0 magnitude on November 6, 2007,” said a senior scientist working with the ISR.
He further said that aftershocks of the 2001 Kutch earthquake have been registered even after a decade of the seismic event.
"This is a new and different earthquake in Saurashtra region, which has been registered in Junagadh."
Interestingly, it is often observed that several small earthquakes take place prior to a big one. Such earthquakes are known as 'precursor' to the big earthquake. But in the recent earthquake such seismic activity was not registered. "There were no such precursors in this earthquake," said the scientist.
He further said there was hardly any probability of a new and big earthquake taking place in the region as the pent-up energy of the earth has been let out.
"However aftershocks may be felt for atleast a week. Further, the earthquake is of 'Decay Pattern', which means the seismicity is reducing in the area," he said.
He said further investigation into this quake is yet to be done but it may have occurred because of the small old fractures in the main Saurashtra region fault.
"There are many small micro-earthquakes of 3 or less than 3 magnitude taking place in Jamnagar and
Surendranagar districts frequently."
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