Eartquake in Gujarat

AHMEDABAD: An earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale jolted Gujarat tonight
but there was no immediate report of any casualty or damage.  The epicentre of the quake

of moderate intensity, which shook the state at around 2248 hours, was 20km south
east of Sasangir near Vansthli town in Junagadh district, said Indian Met Department.

Officials said the quake was felt for 25 seconds in Junagadh and people rushed out of
their homes in panic.

The tremor was felt in several other parts of the state including Ahmedabad.

The state was rocked by a 7.6 magnitude earthquake on January 26, 2001 leaving 20,000
people dead and causing widespread destruction with the worst-affected being the Kutch region.

Earthquakes are caused by a sudden shift / movement deep under ground in the
Earth's tectonic plates.  On the surface, we see this as the shaking of the ground, causing
damage to poorly built structures.

The most powerful earthquakes can destroy even the best built structures. Earthquakes can
also cause other disasters including tsunamis and volcanic eruptions.

Earthquakes occur unpredictably along fault lines, capable of killing thousands of people.
Seismometers can detect the strength of an earthquake.  It gives a number on the Richter
scale devised by Charles Richter: