"Nothing to worry, aftershock will heal it": National Centre of Seismology director on Delhi earthquake

New Delhi [India], February 17 (ANI): Director of the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), Dr OP Mishra, on Monday assured residents of the national capital that there is nothing to worry about as aftershocks of lesser magnitude are "natural" and will heal by the earthquake of magnitude 4.0 that had struck Delhi early Monday.
Strong tremors were felt in Delhi and its surrounding areas at 5.36 am today after a 4.0-magnitude earthquake jolted the national capital. It originated just 5 km below the earth's surface.
Speaking to ANI, Mishra stated the epicentre of the earthquake was in Dhaula Kuan, which falls under a seismic zone.
"Delhi has been experiencing minor earthquakes. This earthquake occurred in Dhaula Kuan. In 2007, an earthquake of 4.7 magnitude had occurred there. There is nothing to worry about. It is a seismic zone there," Mishra said.
Elaborating on the cause of the earthquake, the NCS Director said, "The earthquake occurred due to in-situ material heterogeneity... After 4.0 magnitude, the aftershock will be less by 1.2 magnitudes; it is natural as it will heal it."
Hours after the earthquake hit Delhi, tremors were felt in Bihar at around 8.02 am on Monday, and it originated from just 10 km under the Earth's surface. No casualties or damage have been reported so far.
Mishra, however, clarified that the earthquakes in Delhi and Bihar are unrelated, as such occurrences "depend on the rock shearing strength, which is different for both these states."
"People need to take precautions, as earthquakes do not kill people. It is the structures that kill people... Delhi has always been safe during such instances of shallow earthquakes; the structures that are built these days are very obstructive and attenuate the seismic waves," he added. (ANI)