Key Points:
- Nine tremors recorded between Thursday 8:43 PM and Friday 8:34 AM, strongest at 3.8 magnitude
- Epicenters located 27-30 km from Upleta, depths ranging 6.1-13.6 km
- Schools in affected areas declared holiday as precautionary measure
- No loss of life or property reported, residents rushed outdoors in panic
- Tremors felt across Jetpur, Dhoraji, Upleta, Jetalsar, Pedhla, Sardharpur, and nearby villages
- Experts note unusual seismic activity for Rajkot region, typically Kutch area experiences such events
Several earthquake tremors were felt on Friday in Jetpur, Dhoraji, Upleta, and the surrounding rural areas of Rajkot district in Gujarat. Due to the continuous tremors, the local administration has declared a holiday in schools as a precautionary measure.
According to data from the Institute of Seismological Research (ISR), the tremors were felt on Friday morning. The strongest tremor occurred at 6:19 AM, measuring 3.8 on the Richter scale. A total of seven seismic tremors were felt until 8:34 AM, though some reports suggest as many as nine tremors occurred over a 12-hour period.
Sequence of tremors from 6:19 AM to 8:34 AM:
06:19 AM: 3.8 magnitude earthquake (strongest tremor)
06:56 AM: 2.9 magnitude earthquake
06:58 AM: 3.2 magnitude earthquake
07:10 AM: 2.9 magnitude earthquake
07:13 AM: 2.9 magnitude earthquake
07:33 AM: 2.7 magnitude earthquake
08:34 AM: Another tremor felt
Epicenter and Depth
According to the ISR, the epicenters of these earthquakes were mainly located 27 to 30 kilometers east-northeast (ENE) of Upleta. The depth of the earthquakes in Rajkot, Gujarat, ranged from 6.1 kilometers to 13.6 kilometers. Earlier, a 3.3 magnitude earthquake was felt in the same region at 8:43 PM on Thursday.
No loss of life or property
Due to the continuous tremors, people in the rural areas of Jetpur, Dhoraji, and Upleta rushed out of their homes and into the streets and fields out of fear. However, thankfully, no loss of life or property has been reported so far due to these seismic activities. The local administration is monitoring the situation and advising people to stay safe.
Unusual seismic activity for region
Experts note that while earthquakes below magnitude 4 are typically not concerning, the occurrence of nine tremors in such a short period warrants examination. The Rajkot area does not lie over any known fault line, making this cluster of tremors unusual as seismic activity is more commonly associated with the Kachchh region of Gujarat. The Institute of Seismological Research continues to monitor the situation, while officials have appealed to residents not to panic or spread rumors.
