Northeast India Jolted: Magnitude 3.7 Earthquake Strikes Arunachal Pradesh

Residents of Arunachal Pradesh awoke to an unexpected jolt early Sunday morning as an earthquake of magnitude 3.7 struck the East Kameng district. The tremor, reported by the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), occurred precisely at 6:01 AM, reminding the region of its active seismic landscape.

According to the NCS, the earthquake's epicentre was located at a shallow depth of just 10 kilometres, approximately 98 kilometres northwest of Khonsa, a town in Arunachal Pradesh.

Shallow earthquakes are often felt more intensely on the surface, which could have led to a noticeable shake for those awake at the time.

While any seismic activity can be unsettling, especially in the early hours, there have been no immediate reports of damage to property or casualties from the affected areas.

Authorities are monitoring the situation closely, though a tremor of this magnitude is generally considered moderate and less likely to cause widespread destruction.

Arunachal Pradesh, nestled in the highly seismic Zone V of India, frequently experiences earthquakes due to the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.

This geological setting makes the region particularly vulnerable to seismic events, ranging from minor tremors to more significant quakes. Local communities and infrastructure are often built with these recurring natural phenomena in mind.

The National Centre for Seismology plays a crucial role in monitoring seismic activity across India, providing timely data that helps in assessing risks and disseminating information to the public and disaster management agencies.

Sunday's event serves as another data point in the ongoing geological narrative of this dynamic Himalayan region.