2001 Gujarat earthquake
 | |
| UTC time | ?? |
|---|---|
| Magnitude | 7.7 Mw |
| Epicenter | Bhuj, Gujarat |
| Areas affected |  India |
| Casualties | Approximately 20,000 dead, 167,000 injured |
The 2001 Gujarat earthquake occurred on January 26, 2001, which coincided with the 51st celebration of Republic Day (India) at 0317 hrs GMT.[1] The location of the epicentre was Bhuj (23.6° N 69.8° E) Gujarat, India. With Moment magnitude (Mw) of 7.7, the quake killed more than 20,000 people and injured another 167,000 and destroyed near a million homes.[2]throughout Gujarat and parts of Eastern Pakistan.
It happened because of tectonic plates releasing pressure in the area after a collision margin took place. A collision margin is where two continental plates collide and begin to rub, creating lots of pressure, until eventually it is released and creates an earthquake.
The earthquake is considered an intraplate earthquake because it occurred a great distance from any plate boundary, where the theory of plate tectonics says most earthquakes of this size happen. Because of this, this area was not completely prepared for an earthquake of such size.
The Effects
Because of its size and location,the quake was very destructive in terms of lives lost and damage to property. All the deaths occurred in India's western state of Gujarat, near the Pakistan border. Bhuj, situated only 20 kilometres (14 miles) from the epicentre, was the most devastated town.
Because of such a high magnitude (7.7) and duration (98 seconds), as many as 20,000 people were reported dead. As of February 3, the official toll had climbed to more than 30,000, though it later fell to 19,730. The final death toll of Kutch was 12,220. At least 150,000 more were reported injured. This too may be an underestimate. Over a million structures were damaged or destroyed, including many historic buildings and tourist attractions[e.g.julta minar made by ashoka near railway station].[citation needed]
The quake destroyed a percent of the homes in Bhuj, several schools, and flattened the hospital. Considerable damage occurred also at Bhachau. In Ahmedabad, Gujarat's commercial capital and a city of 4.5 million, as many as 50 multistory buildings collapsed and several hundred people were killed. Total property damage was estimated at $5.5 billion and rising. The quake destroyed 75% of Kutch and over 80% of usable food and water supplies.
The district collector Anil Mukim oversaw the early delivery of aid and equipment to affected villages but then called for further aid deliveries to cease as they encouraged a "relief mentality" which would delay a return to normal life.[3]
References
- ^ "Preliminary Earthquake Report". USGS. 2001-01-26. Retrieved 2007-11-21.
- ^ "Preliminary Earthquake Report". USGS Earthquake Hazards Program. Retrieved 2007-11-21.
- ^ Malik, Rajiv (2001-08-18). "To Rebuild Kutch". Hinduism Today. Himalayan Academy. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
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