A moderate earthquake with a magnitude of 5.1 struck in the Bay of Bengal, sending tremors through Kolkata and surrounding regions. The quake, which occurred on a Tuesday morning at 6:10 a.m. local time, caused momentary panic but no major damage or injuries were reported.
Seismic Details and Impact
The National Center for Seismology (NCS) and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed the earthquake. Its epicenter was located at a depth of 91 kilometers in the Bay of Bengal, roughly 340 kilometers south of Kolkata and 286 kilometers east of Puri, Odisha. The depth of the quake was a key factor in limiting its destructive power on the surface. While shallow earthquakes (those with an epicenter of 5-10 kilometers deep) tend to cause more damage, this deep-seated tremor dissipated much of its energy before reaching the landmass.
Residents of Kolkata described feeling a subtle shake that lasted for a few seconds. Social media was quickly flooded with posts from people who felt the tremors and were startled by the sudden shaking of their furniture or swaying of wall hangings.
Kolkata's Seismic Zone
Kolkata is situated in Seismic Zone III, which is classified as a moderate damage risk zone. While not as prone to major seismic events as the Himalayan belt or Northeast India, the city can feel the effects of distant earthquakes, particularly those originating in the Bay of Bengal or neighboring countries like Myanmar and Nepal. A powerful earthquake in Nepal in 2015 also sent significant tremors through Kolkata, highlighting the city's vulnerability to such events.
The fact that the city has a high density of old, often poorly-maintained buildings is a cause for concern. Seismologists and disaster management experts have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement of building codes to ensure that new structures can withstand a moderate-to-strong earthquake.
Famous Cricketers from Kolkata
Kolkata, a city known for its passion for cricket, has produced a number of talented players who have represented both the state team of Bengal and the Indian national side.
- Sourav Ganguly: Arguably the most famous cricketer from Kolkata, and a former captain of the Indian national team. He is widely credited with transforming the team's culture and instilling a new level of aggression and confidence.
- Pankaj Roy: A legendary opening batsman from the 1950s who set a world record for the highest opening partnership in Test cricket, a record that stood for over 50 years.
- Wriddhiman Saha: Known for his exceptional wicketkeeping skills and resilient batting, Saha has been a mainstay of the Indian Test team and a prominent player in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
- Manoj Tiwary: A versatile batsman who has played for the Indian national team and several IPL franchises. He is also a well-known name in domestic cricket, where he has captained the Bengal team.
- Ashok Dinda: A fast bowler with an unorthodox action, Dinda has played for India and has been a key figure in Bengal's domestic cricket and various IPL teams, including the Kolkata Knight Riders.
The Larger Context
The Bay of Bengal is generally considered to be a less seismically active region compared to the subduction zones of the Andaman Islands and the Himalayas. However, it is not entirely dormant. The earthquake off the coast of Puri is a reminder that tectonic activity can occur along dormant fault lines, and while the risk of a destructive tsunami from such a quake is low, it is not zero. The swift response and rescinding of any warnings show that international and national agencies are in a state of readiness
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