1803 Garhwal earthquake

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1803 Garhwal earthquake
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Local date1 September 1803
Local time01:30 [1]
Magnitude Mw 7.8 ± 0.2
Epicenter 30°39′22″N78°47′02″E / 30.656°N 78.784°E / 30.656; 78.784
Fault Main Himalayan Thrust
Type Thrust (Blind)
Areas affected India & Pakistan
Max. intensity IX (Violent)
X (Devastating)
Casualties200–300 dead

The 1803 Garhwal earthquake occurred in the early morning of September 1 at 01:30 local time. The estimated 7.8-magnitude-earthquake had an epicenter in the Garhwal Himalaya near Uttarkashi, British India. Major damage occurred in the Himalaya and Indo-Gangetic Plain, with the loss of between 200 and 300 lives. [2] It is among the largest Himalaya earthquakes of the 19th-century, caused by thrust faulting.

Contents

Tectonic setting

The Himalaya is located at the convergent boundary where active convergence leads to continental collision. The India and Eurasian plates began colliding approximately 50 million years ago when the Tethys Ocean closed. The Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT), a decollement structure, defines the boundary between the Indian Plate and Eurasian Plate. The convergent zone also contains three other major faults; the Main Boundary Thrust, Main Central Thrust and South Tibetan Detachment. At the surface, the Main Himalayan Thrust propagates along the Main Frontal Thrust (MFT). These faults runs for approximately 2,300 km in an east–west direction, parallel to the southern foothills of the Lower Himalayan Range from Assam, through Nepal, and into Pakistan. This major thrust fault dips to the north, beneath the Himalaya at a shallow angle. It is the source of most of Himalayan earthquakes. [3] [1]

Earthquakes on the convergent boundary are megathrust events that repeat every few centuries. Large Himalayan earthquakes including those in 1505, 1934 and 1950 with magnitudes of 8.0+ were the result of rupturing the Main Himalayan Thrust. These events generated surface ruptures by breaching the surface via the MFT.

Impact

An artwork of the Qutub Minar in 1805. Kuttull Minor, Delhi. The Qutb Minar, an aquatint by Thomas Daniell, 1805.jpg
An artwork of the Qutub Minar in 1805.

At Srinagar in the meizoseismal area, an estimated 500–1,000 homes were destroyed, and a landslide occurred. Ground fissures and liquefaction events took place in Mathura, near Aligarh and Agra. [4] An estimated 200–300 people died due to collapsing roofs. Partial damage occurred in the towns Devprayag, Joshimath, Badrinath and Almora. A landslide buried the small village and fort on the eastern bank of the Yamuna River in Uttar Pradesh. [4]

The shaking was strongly felt in Mathura and lasted several minutes. It destroyed many pucca homes in the city. Many residents were driven out of their homes, and into the streets or agricultural fields. A pregnant woman died after being struck by falling tiles. [5] Large fissures occurred in fields, spilling vast quantities of water. One of the fissures partially swallowed the dome of a mosque. The fissures continued to eject water for several weeks, benefitting the residents who were able to obtain water. [5]

The Hindu Badrinath Temple suffered severe damage from the quake. [6] Several temples, including the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Uttarkashi, and Tungnath, were totally destroyed. [7]

The earthquake occurred at the beginning of the Siege of Aligarh during Second Anglo-Maratha War. Aligarh Fort was captured by the British East India Company from the Marathi people and French. The siege came to an end because the severely damage fort walls were breached, easing capture for the British. [8] [9]

At New Delhi, a cupola in the Qutb Minar collapsed and the main column was structurally weakened. [10] Reports documented that the spire of the Khanqah-e-Moula in Kashmir Valley's Srinagar also collapsed, although it may have been a conflation with a previous earthquake. Fissuring was also observed in the city. Seiches in a water tank at the Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden in Calcutta caused by the quake was strong enough to throw fishes out of their aquarium. [11]

Earthquake

The earthquake is believed to have ruptured the MHT but did not propagate to the surface. It shared similar characteristics with the 1905 Kangra and the two 2015 Nepal earthquakes; all three events failed to rupture the MHT, hence did not produce any surface rupture. This blind thrust earthquake is the largest in the Indian Himalaya during the 19th-century. Another similar-sized event occurred in Nepal in August 1833. This earthquake was located immediately east of the great 1505 earthquake rupture zone. [12] Two smaller earthquakes; the 1991 Uttarkashi and 1999 Chamoli earthquakes, also occurred in the epicenter region of the 1803 event.

Descriptions of severe damage and ground effects from the event suggest the earthquake rupture initiated beneath the Himalaya range, and propagated south; up-dip along the MHT in a northwest–southeast direction. [1] The rupture ceased just short of the MFT. [12] Accumulated stress to the east caused by the 1505 event was released during the 1803 quake. An estimated maximum coseismic slip of 4.5 meters or less occurred. Since then, roughly 3 meters of slip have accumulated. The two earthquakes in 1991 and 1999 failed to release the seismic strain accumulated since the 1803 event. [1]

The moment magnitude was previously assigned 8.0 in past academic journals [ example needed ] based on damage descriptions and felt reports from the historical documentation, but more recent reassessments indicate a much smaller magnitude of 7.8. [12] The earthquake magnitude has even been downgraded to 7.3 in some journals. [13]

Intensity

A macroseismic intensity survey from 1979 assigned the holy city Badrinath with VII (Very strong)–IX (Violent)-level shaking on the Modified Mercalli intensity scale. A 2005 journal by geologist C. P. Rajendran and seismologist Kusala Rajendran published in Tectonophysics assigned the maximum Medvedev–Sponheuer–Karnik scale intensity at IX–X in Srinagar and Devprayag. [13]

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">1897 Assam earthquake</span> Earthquake in India

The Assam earthquake of 1897 occurred on 12 June 1897, in Assam, British India at 11:06 UTC, and had an estimated moment magnitude of 8.2–8.3. It resulted in approximately 1,542 human casualties and caused catastrophic damage to infrastructures. Damage from the earthquake extended into Calcutta, where dozens of buildings were severely damaged, with some buildings partially collapsing. Trembles were felt across India, reaching as far as Ahmedabad and Peshawar. Seiches were also observed in Burma.

The 1999 Chamoli earthquake occurred on 29 March in the Chamoli district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Approximately 103 people died in the earthquake.

The 1905 Kangra earthquake occurred in the Kangra Valley and the Kangra region of the Punjab Province in India on 4 April 1905. The earthquake measured 7.8 on the surface wave magnitude scale and killed more than 20,000 people. Apart from this, most buildings in the towns of Kangra, Mcleodganj and Dharamshala were destroyed.

The 1991 Uttarkashi earthquake occurred at 02:53:16 Indian Standard Time (UTC+05:30) on 20 October with a moment magnitude of 6.8 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent). This thrust event was instrumentally recorded and occurred along the Main Central Thrust in the Uttarkashi and Gharwal regions of the Indian state of Uttarakhand. High intensity shaking resulted in the deaths of at least 768 people and the destruction of thousands of homes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1975 Kinnaur earthquake</span> Earthquake in Himachal Pradesh, India

The 1975 Kinnaur earthquake occurred in the early afternoon of 19 January. It had a magnitude of 6.8 on the surface wave magnitude scale and a maximum perceived intensity of IX (Violent) on the Mercalli intensity scale, causing extensive damage in Himachal Pradesh, in northern India. Its epicentre was in Kinnaur district in the southeastern part of Himachal Pradesh and caused 47 casualties. Landslides, rock falls and avalanches caused major damage to the Hindustan-Tibet Road. The earthquake affected many monasteries and buildings in the state and led to an extensive restoration work in the late 1970s and early 1980s in Himachal Pradesh. The Spiti and Parachu valleys in particular suffered the greatest damage being on the north–south Kaurik-Chango fault, causing damage to landmarks such as Key Monastery and Tabo Monastery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garhwal Kingdom</span> Monarchy in Himalayan (668–1949)

Garhwal Kingdom was an independent Himalayan kingdom in the current north-western Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, India, founded in 688 CE by Kanak Pal, the progenitor of the Panwar dynasty that ruled over the kingdom uninterrupted until 1803 CE.

Chittenipattu Puthenveettil Rajendran, also known among his peers as CP, is an Indian geologist who has worked mainly on the Indian earthquakes and tectonics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Kashmir earthquake</span> Earthquake in Kashmir

The 2019 Kashmir earthquake struck regions of Pakistan with an epicentre in Azad Kashmir on 24 September at 16:02 local time. It had a magnitude of 5.4 Mww and a maximum felt intensity of VII on the Modified Mercalli intensity scale or VIII on the European macroseismic scale. There was severe damage in Mirpur District, causing the deaths of 40 people and injuring a further 850. The epicentre of the shallow quake was near the city of Mirpur, Pakistan. The tremors were felt in the Kashmir region, Punjab (Pakistan), Punjab (India), Uttarakhand and northern parts of India including New Delhi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Main Himalayan Thrust</span> Geological feature

The Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT) is a décollement under the Himalaya Range. This thrust fault follows a NW-SE strike, reminiscent of an arc, and gently dips about 10 degrees towards the north, beneath the region. It is the largest active continental megathrust fault in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Main Frontal Thrust</span> Geological fault in the Himalayas

The Main Frontal Thrust (MFT), also known as the Himalayan Frontal Thrust (HFT), is a geological fault in the Himalayas that defines the boundary between the Himalayan foothills and Indo-Gangetic Plain. The fault is well expressed on the surface thus could be seen via satellite imagery. It is the youngest and southernmost thrust structure in the Himalaya deformation front. It is a splay branch of the Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT) as the root décollement.

The 1833 Nepal–India earthquake occurred on August 26 at 22:58 local time (NPT). This earthquake had an estimated moment magnitude of 7.6–7.9 and struck with an epicenter somewhere in or near the Kathmandu Valley. The earthquake caused major destruction in numerous towns and villages in Nepal, northern India, and Tibet. The earthquake was also felt in Chittagong, Bangladesh. Despite the extent of the damage, the number of fatalities resulting from the earthquake was surprisingly low, at approximately 500. This was because the mainshock was preceded by two smaller but intense foreshocks earlier that day, causing many residents to take refuge outside their homes.

The 1906 Manasi earthquake (玛纳斯地震), also known as the Manas earthquake occurred in the morning of December 23, 1906, at 02:21 UTC+8:00 local time or December 22, 18:21 UTC. It measured 8.0–8.3 on the moment magnitude scale and 8.3 on the surface-wave magnitude scale. The epicenter of this earthquake is located in Manas County, Xinjiang, China. An estimated 280–300 people died and another 1,000 more were injured by the earthquake.

The 1995 Menglian earthquake or 1995 Myanmar–China earthquake occurred on 12 July at 05:46:43 local time in the Myanmar–China border region. The earthquake had an epicenter on the Myanmar side of the border, located in the mountainous region of Shan State. It registered 7.3 on the Chinese surface wave magnitude scale (Ms ) and 6.8 on the moment magnitude scale (Mw ). With a maximum Mercalli intensity assigned at VIII, the quake killed eleven people and left another 136 injured. Over 100,000 homes in both countries were destroyed and 42,000 seriously damaged. Some damage to structures were also reported in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, Thailand. The low death toll from this earthquake was attributed to an early warning issued prior to it happening. Precursor events including foreshocks and some seismic anomalies led to an evacuation of the area before the mainshock struck. It is thought to be one of the few successfully predicted earthquakes in history.

The 1555 Kashmir earthquake occurred at around midnight in the month of Ashvin in the Hindu calendar, or September in the Gregorian calendar, although the exact day of occurrence is not known. The earthquake seriously impacted the Kashmir Valley in present-day Pakistan and northwestern India. A moment magnitude (Mw ) of 7.6 to 8.0 and Modified Mercalli intensity of XII (Extreme) has been estimated for the earthquake. Thought to be one of the most destructive in the Kashmir Valley, the earthquake caused serious widespread damage and ground effects, killing an estimated 600–60,000 individuals.

The 1889 Chilik earthquake occurred on July 11 on the Gregorian calendar, or June 30 on the Julian calendar at 15:14 local time in the Tien Shan mountains. The earthquake measured an estimated Mw  7.9–8.0 on the moment magnitude scale and was assigned a maximum intensity of X (Devastating) on the MSK 64 and Rossi-Forel scales. Over 92 people across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and China were killed.

The 1992 Kohat earthquake struck Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province in Pakistan on May 20. The Mw  6.3 earthquake inflicted significant damage in the nearby city Kohat. An estimated 36 people died and 100 were injured in the Peshawar and Kohat districts. Four-hundred (400) homes were wiped out, affecting 2,100 residents in the region.

The 1885 Kashmir earthquake, also known as the Baramulla earthquake occurred on 30 May in Srinagar. It had an estimated moment magnitude of Mw  6.3–6.8 and maximum Medvedev–Sponheuer–Karnik scale intensity of VIII (Damaging). At least 3,081 people died and severe damage resulted.

The 1980 Nepal earthquake devastated the Nepal–India border region on the evening of July 29. The epicenter of the 6.6 Mw earthquake was located in Nepal, northwest of Khaptad National Park. At least 200 people died and 5,600 were injured in the disaster. Extensive damage occurred on both sides of the border, amounting to 245 million USD.

Bhutan was struck by a major earthquake on 4 May 1714. It had an estimated magnitude of about 8.1 Mw and caused shaking that reached IX (Violent) on the Modified Mercalli intensity scale. It is thought to have been caused by rupture of the Bhutan part of the Main Frontal Thrust. Damage was reported from west central Bhutan and northeast India. The earthquake resulted in "many fatalities".

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Bilham, Roger (2019). "Himalayan earthquakes: a review of historical seismicity and early 21st century slip potential". Geological Society, London, Special Publications. 483 (1): 423–482. Bibcode:2019GSLSP.483..423B. doi: 10.1144/SP483.16 . Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  2. ↑ "Significant Earthquake Information". ngdc.noaa.gov. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  3. ↑ Metcalfe, John (14 June 2016). "Study: Nepal Could Be Due for Another Major Earthquake". Bloomberg. Retrieved 12 Dec 2020.
  4. 1 2 Mithila Verma; R. J. Singh; B. K. Bansal (19 June 2014). "Soft sediments and damage pattern: a few case studies from large Indian earthquakes vis-a-vis seismic risk evaluation". Natural Hazards. 74 (3): 1829–1851. Bibcode:2014NatHa..74.1829V. doi:10.1007/s11069-014-1283-4. S2CID   129230290.
  5. 1 2 Sujit Dasgupta; Basab Mukhopadhyay (2014). "1803 Earthquake in Garhwal Himalaya - Archival Materials With Commentary". Indian Journal of History of Science. Scribd. 49 (1): 21–33.
  6. ↑ Vikram Sharma (23 February 2017). "Uttarakhand has a history of earthquakes but nobody cares!". The New Indian Express . Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  7. ↑ C. P. Rajendran; Kusala Rajendran; Jaishri Sanwal; Mike Sandiford (2013). "Archeological and Historical Database on the Medieval Earthquakes of the Central Himalaya: Ambiguities and Inferences" (PDF). Seismological Research Letters . 84 (6): 1098. Bibcode:2013SeiRL..84.1098R. doi:10.1785/0220130077.
  8. ↑ Roger Bilham (2004). "Historical Studies of Earthquakes in India". Annals of Geophysics. CiteSeerX   10.1.1.554.5602 .
  9. ↑ "1803 Garhwal Earthquake: Implications for western UP and NCR". Risk Prevention Mitigation and Management Forum. 30 August 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  10. ↑ J. A. Page; Y. D. Sharma (2002). World Heritage Series: Qutb Minar & Adjoining Monuments (PDF). New Delhi: Archaeological Survey of India. p. 54. ISBN   81-87780-07-X.
  11. ↑ Sujit Dasgupta. "The 1803 North India earthquake". Indiaquake. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  12. 1 2 3 C. P. Rajendran; Biju John; K. Anandasabari; Jaishri Sanwal; Kusala Rajendran; Pankaj Kumar; Sundeep Chopra (2018). "On the paleoseismic evidence of the 1803 earthquake rupture (or lack of it) along the frontal thrust of the Kumaun Himalaya". Tectonophysics. Elsevier. 772: 227–234. Bibcode:2018Tectp.722..227R. doi:10.1016/j.tecto.2017.11.012.
  13. 1 2 C. P. Rajendran; Kusala Rajendran (2005). "The status of central seismic gap: A perspective based on the spatial and temporal aspects of the large Himalayan earthquakes". Tectonophysics . 395 (1): 19–39. Bibcode:2005Tectp.395...19R. doi:10.1016/j.tecto.2004.09.009.
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