India is a country with large geographical area. So, it shows topographic variation. Due to this topographical and structural variation, there are variations in the earthquake damage risk in India. On the basis of risk of damage by earthquakes, India has been divided into the following zones:
1. Very High Risk Earthquake zone
2. High Risk Earthquake zone
3. Moderate Risk Earthquake zone
4. Low Risk Earthquake zone
5. Very Low Risk Earthquake zone
1. Very High Risk Earthquake Zone: This is the most active earthquake zone, so most of the earthquakes occur in this belt. The region of Kashmir, western and central Himalayas, northern and central Bihar, North – Eastern Indian region, Rann of Kutch and Andaman and Nicobar group of islands fall in this zone. Generally, these areas of trap rocks or basalt rock are more prone to earthquakes.
2. High Risk Earthquake Zone: On the basis of activeness, this zone is ranked at the second place. Most of the part of Bihar, Sikkim, Northern part of Uttar Pradesh, North – Western part, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, North – Eastern Punjab and rfaryana, Valley of Kutch in Gujarat and its coastal part and Kashmir fall in this earthquake prone zone.
3. Moderate Risk Earthquake Zone: The extension of this earthquake zone is in South – western region of Rajasthan, valley region of Rivers Narmada and Tapti in Madhya Pradesh, South – Eastern Gujarat, Western part of Maharashtra, Jharakhand, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and some regions of West Bengal and Western Ghats. It ranks third in earthquake zones.
4. Low Risk Earthquake Zone: The extension of low risk earthquake zone is mainly plateau areas. Aravalli hills region, plains of River Ghagghar, Northern Orrisa, valley region of Wardha, Plateau of Malwa, central and longitudinal parts of Karnataka, eastern part of Western Ghats.
5. Very Low Risk Earthquake Zone: It is the least prone earthquake zone, which is extended to central parts of Southern Plateau, mainly Chambal, Banas, Kali Sindh, and Betwa flow areas, North Western part of Madhya Pradesh, Mahanadi Valley region of Orissa and Penganga and the regions of Rivers Bhima and Krishna are included.
