Could a major earthquake hit Delhi soon? Answers to the seismologist Kusala Rajendran

Amid a complete pandemic, a series of earthquakes shook the national capital region and raised people’s hearts. Many have suggested it is a prelude to a major series. There were serious questions about whether Delhi was equipped to deal with a strong earthquake. However, earthquakes remain strange occurrences and we cannot predict the next earthquake. To clarify the concerns, we spoke to the well-known Indian seismologist Kusala Rajendran, a professor at the Center for Earth Sciences at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore. Kusala stresses that there is “nothing unusual” about what is happening in Delhi now.

Here are some excerpts edited from our conversation with Kusala Rajendran.

Delhi has experienced an unusual number of mild earthquakes recently. Can you explain the reason behind this?

Nothing abnormal. Delhi is located in the vicinity of the boundaries of large active plates, the Himalayas that resulted from the collision of India and the Eurasian plates. Because of the continuous convergence of the two plates, the tectonic pressures in the Himalayas are also transferred to the south, to the plains. Old mistakes present there sometimes release such accumulated stress, which leads to earthquakes.

As it is said, do smaller earthquakes indicate that a large earthquake is around the corner?

If this were universally true, it would not be difficult to predict earthquakes. While it is possible that in some larger malfunction systems that may also be associated with a network of smaller malfunctions, there may be vibrations that lead to greater shock. But this is not a rule. One can have many small tremors that do not lead to any major earthquake (such as Palghar and Khandwa) and one can experience major trauma without smaller precursors. This is a reflection of the structural and tectonic framework of the area in question. I do not see this possibility for Delhi.

One can have many small tremors that do not lead to any major earthquake (such as Palghar and Khandwa) and one can experience major trauma without smaller precursors.

Studies show that the foothills of the Himalayas are at risk of an imminent earthquake. What could be the impact of such an earthquake on Delhi?

History gives us enough examples of such events. For example, the 1934 Behar earthquakes (M ~ 8) and 1803 Kumaon (M ~ 7.6) caused tremors in Delhi. It is reported that the earthquake in 1803 destroyed the Pole Minar. One must realize that the density and style of buildings in Delhi are still not tested for such vibration. Yes, a large Himalayan earthquake can be devastating to Delhi, considering the large density of people and buildings and that thick, alluvial deposits from the Ganges plain tend to amplify seismic energy.

Also read: Why are there fewer women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics?

In our school’s geography lessons, we have read that in the Himalayas, two tectonic plates meet each other. Can you explain the implications of this to the shared reader?

Large earthquakes occur along the boundaries of the plates. The plate boundary is the result of a collision of two plates, in this case the Indian and Eurasian plates.

This is the appearance of the global tectonic process that moves the nearly 100-kilometer top of the Earth (known as the lithosphere) adjacent to each other and where they meet each other either as they collide to form mountains (such as the Himalayas) or if the plates are of different densities, The dense dives down (as in the Andaman Sumatra region). These plate boundaries are the most seismically and globally active.

Can earthquake forecasting make us safe? How do we prepare for an earthquake?

The prediction includes a warning about the location and timing of the earthquake, its magnitude, and the ability to evacuate people. There is no way anywhere in the world that can accurately predict earthquakes. It is possible to identify potential areas for future earthquakes and even estimate potentials. But the time of occurrence is unpredictable. So, scientists suggest windows like the next fifty years, etc.

There is no way anywhere in the world that can accurately predict earthquakes. It is possible to identify potential areas for future earthquakes and even estimate potentials. But the time of occurrence is unpredictable.

Tell us a little about yourself, what made you study geophysics and go into research. There were very few women who went on to science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects at the time, did you experience any gender biases.

My choice of geophysics was by accident, not by design. I had gone to Roorkee University with the intention of joining an MSc in Chemistry, but the opportunity took me to the Department of Earth Sciences. She got accepted there as well and after listening to great lectures from Professor Vinod Kumar Gore, Professor of Geophysics, changed my mind and addressed geophysics.

I think a lot of things in my life happened by chance. There are many young students under the age of 20 or around that age who are confused about what to do. this is normal. My point is that if you are good and if you decide to, you can succeed. In other words, if you are a good player you can turn the game around.

Earth sciences is a male-dominated profession. You were the only girl in my class when you performed M.tech in Roorkee. I had special restrictions due to the nature of my job, like going to the field and so on. But I did not suffer from any discrimination; Nothing is more than the usual level women feel in all professions. How often do we see women as chair of selection committees? How many women are on the board of directors, deputy counselors, etc.? And where they reach the top, they do it well. So this is the general situation I would like to comment on, not any personal experience.

Earth sciences is a male-dominated profession. I was the only girl in my class when she participated in M.Tech in Roorkee.

What you should know

During an earthquake, if you are indoors, you should descend to the ground; Take COVER by getting a durable piece of furniture; And be there until the shaking stops. If you can’t take cover, cover your face and head with your arms and bows in an interior corner of the building.
Stay in bed if you were there when the earthquake struck.
If you are outside when an earthquake strokes stays there. Stay away from buildings, streets, and utility wires.
If you are moving in a stop-motion location without compromising your safety and staying in the car. Avoid stopping near or under something that could collapse, such as buildings, trees, bridges, and utility wires.

What do you want to tell young women who want to study science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects?

Whatever you do, whatever branch of study you choose, learn to love it. Be passionate about your work.

***

Professor Rajendran prefers to call herself an Earth scientist because she believes that “the study of earthquakes is not only related to reading earthquake patterns and the interpretation of earthquake physics. It also implies a broader understanding of Earth’s processes and the ability to study the effects of earthquakes from the field.”

Kousala was born in 1954 and is the ninth child in a family of ten. She grew up in the small village of Thalayaparambu in Kerala state. Her father was a prominent politician in the Congress Party and her mother was a housewife. In 1976, she completed a five-year course at Saint Teresa College in Kochi, graduating with a major in chemistry. She was fascinated by organic chemistry and dreamed of becoming a cosmetic chemist one day. Her sister and brother-in-law were the first to suggest a transition to geophysics. However, it was her first geophysical lecture that made the decision for her, yet she remained the only student who followed the course. She says the opportunity to join the Indian Institute of Science as faculty was something that helped her fulfill her dreams.

What Are The Main Benefits Of Comparing Car Insurance Quotes Online

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2020, / Compare-autoinsurance.Org has launched a new blog post that presents the main benefits of comparing multiple car insurance quotes. For more info and free online quotes, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/the-advantages-of-comparing-prices-with-car-insurance-quotes-online/ The modern society has numerous technological advantages. One important advantage is the speed at which information is sent and received. With the help of the internet, the shopping habits of many persons have drastically changed. The car insurance industry hasn't remained untouched by these changes. On the internet, drivers can compare insurance prices and find out which sellers have the best offers. View photos The advantages of comparing online car insurance quotes are the following: Online quotes can be obtained from anywhere and at any time. Unlike physical insurance agencies, websites don't have a specific schedule and they are available at any time. Drivers that have busy working schedules, can compare quotes from anywhere and at any time, even at midnight. Multiple choices. Almost all insurance providers, no matter if they are well-known brands or just local insurers, have an online presence. Online quotes will allow policyholders the chance to discover multiple insurance companies and check their prices. Drivers are no longer required to get quotes from just a few known insurance companies. Also, local and regional insurers can provide lower insurance rates for the same services. Accurate insurance estimates. Online quotes can only be accurate if the customers provide accurate and real info about their car models and driving history. Lying about past driving incidents can make the price estimates to be lower, but when dealing with an insurance company lying to them is useless. Usually, insurance companies will do research about a potential customer before granting him coverage. Online quotes can be sorted easily. Although drivers are recommended to not choose a policy just based on its price, drivers can easily sort quotes by insurance price. Using brokerage websites will allow drivers to get quotes from multiple insurers, thus making the comparison faster and easier. For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ Compare-autoinsurance.Org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. "Online quotes can easily help drivers obtain better car insurance deals. All they have to do is to complete an online form with accurate and real info, then compare prices", said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. CONTACT: Company Name: Internet Marketing CompanyPerson for contact Name: Gurgu CPhone Number: (818) 359-3898Email: [email protected]: https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ SOURCE: Compare-autoinsurance.Org View source version on accesswire.Com:https://www.Accesswire.Com/595055/What-Are-The-Main-Benefits-Of-Comparing-Car-Insurance-Quotes-Online View photos