1993 Latur earthquake

Earthquake
title=1993 Latur earthquake
date= September 30, 1993


magnitude = 6.4 M_w
depth=12 kilometers [cite web |url=http://www.imd.ernet.in/section/seismo/static/latur.htm |title=The Latur earthquake of September 30, 1993 |accessdate=2008-06-23 |work= |date=July 2003 ]
location=
countries affected = IND
casualties = Approximately 7,928 dead, 30,000 injured

The Latur earthquake struck India on September 30 1993. The main area affected was the Maharashtra State in Western India. The earthquake primarily affected the districts of Latur and Osmanabad. It was an intraplate earthquake. It measured 6.4 on the Richter Scale, [http://www.iirs-nrsa.gov.in/pdf/brijesh_thesis2005.pdf Earthquake Risk Assessment of Buildings: Applicability of HAZUS in Dehradun, India] ] and approximately 7,928 people died, whilst another 30,000 were injured. The earthquake's focus was around 12km deep - relatively shallow causing shock waves to cause more damage.

Because India does not lie on a plate boundary there was some debate as to what caused the earthquake. One suggestion is the existence of fault webs. The Indian sub-continent crumples as it pushes against Asia and pressure is released. It is possible that this pressure is released along fault lines. Another argument is that reservoir construction along the River Tirna was responsible for increasing pressure on fault lines.

References