Recent earthquakes in India
India's seismicity is driven by the northward collision of the Indian Plate with Eurasia, which builds the Himalaya along the country's northern edge and stresses faults far into the interior. The Himalayan front is capable of great earthquakes, while western India saw the intraplate 2001 Bhuj earthquake (M7.7). The 1934 Nepal-Bihar earthquake (M8.0) struck the northern plains. In the past 24 hours, India has recorded no earthquakes above the reporting threshold.
Counts include M2.5+ events — the smallest size USGS reports consistently worldwide.
Recent earthquakes
| Magnitude | Time (UTC) | Depth | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| M4.9 | Sep 8, 16:08 UTC | 10 km | 90 km NNE of Chitre, Nepal |
Notable recent activity
An M4.9 earthquake struck 90 km NNE of Chitre, Nepal at 16:08 UTC on Sep 8 at a depth of 10 km.
Frequently asked questions
Why does India have earthquakes?
The Indian Plate is driving northward into Eurasia, raising the Himalaya and storing enormous strain along the mountain front. This makes northern India highly hazardous, while stresses transmitted into the continent can produce earthquakes as far away as Gujarat.
Which parts of India are most earthquake-prone?
The Himalayan states, the northeast, and the Kutch region of Gujarat carry the highest hazard. The Himalayan front is considered capable of great earthquakes exceeding magnitude 8, threatening the densely populated Indo-Gangetic plain.
What was the biggest earthquake in India?
The 1950 Assam-Tibet earthquake, magnitude 8.6, on the northeastern Himalayan front is the largest to affect India. The 2001 Bhuj earthquake in Gujarat (M7.7) killed about 20,000 people and was the most destructive recent event.
Nearby regions
Live data from the USGS earthquake feeds. Magnitudes and depths are automated readings and may be revised. Not for emergency use.