Kulgam quake puts Kashmir's seismic risk in focus

Active faults crisscross valley; experts seek detailed mapping, safer buildings

Srinagar, Nov 1: A 3.6-magnitude earthquake in south Kashmir's Kulgam district has brought renewed attention to the seismic risks facing the valley, where active faults and complex geological structures make large areas vulnerable to earthquakes.

Earth scientists say detailed mapping of local hazards, safer construction and preparedness are essential to limit the damage from future earthquakes.

The earthquake struck DamhalHanjipora at 1:00:46 am on Friday at a depth of 10 km, according to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS).

Its epicentre was recorded at latitude 33.628° N and longitude 74.922° E.

Prof Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, eminent earth scientist and Vice Chancellor of the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), said the tremor was a reminder of Kashmir's active tectonic setting.

"Although an earthquake of this magnitude is minor, its shallow depth made the tremors perceptible in nearby areas," Romshoo said. "Such earthquakes are not unusual in the seismically active Kashmir Himalaya and should be interpreted as part of the region's larger seismicity."

He said earthquakes could not be predicted in terms of their timing, location or magnitude.

"Preparedness, establishing a culture of disaster preparedness and risk-reduction measures are our most effective safeguards against future earthquake disasters," Prof Ramshoo said.

Riyaz Ahmad Mir, a scientist at the National Institute of Hydrology's Western Himalayan Regional Centre (WHRC), Jammu, said several regional and local faults, thrusts and other active tectonic structures traverse Kashmir.

"DH Pora, Kulgam, is no exception. The area is influenced by tectonic structures such as the Balapur Fault and Jhelum Fault. Furthermore, the southwestern PirPanjal is considered tectonically active, adding to the regional seismic hazard," Mir said.

The Balapur Fault is a reverse or thrust fault, where pressure pushes one block of the Earth's crust over another.

The Jhelum Fault is a strike-slip fault, along which blocks of the crust move horizontally past each other.

Mir said the risk at a particular location depends on its proximity to faults, geological conditions, site characteristics and the vulnerability of buildings and infrastructure.

Much of Kashmir falls in Seismic Zone V, the highest earthquake hazard category under India's current classification.

Parts of the Chenab Valley - Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar districts in the Jammu region -- also fall in Zone V, while areas including the PirPanjal region - Rajouri and Poonch -are classified under Zone IV.

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) 'IS 1893:2016 divides the country into four seismic zones; II, III, IV, and V. Zone IV denotes high seismic hazard, while Zone V denotes very high hazard.

Zone VI was proposed in the revised seismic zonation in 2025 to represent the exceptionally high earthquake hazard of the Himalayan region but was subsequently withdrawn.

Mir said the Himalaya was a continuous, tectonically active mountain belt largely governed by the Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT), but earthquake hazard varied across the range.

"Seismic zoning divides the region based on differences in expected ground shaking, earthquake potential, tectonic segmentation, local fault systems, geological conditions and historical seismicity," he said.

Mir said broad regional classifications could overlook local differences in risk, even within the same seismic zone.

"The presence of a common active tectonic system does not imply identical seismic hazard everywhere. However, broad regional zoning may oversimplify local variations," he said.

He called for detailed seismic microzonation and active fault mapping to assess earthquake risk across the Himalaya.

The experts also called for strict enforcement of earthquake-resistant building codes, assessment of vulnerable structures and regular safety drills in schools and public institutions.