Earthquake in Delhi shook you? Check out these 'dangerous areas' in Delhi-NCR and check how to stay safe during a quake

The Earthquake in Delhi, which took place on Tuesday evening, spread panic amongst the public and many were seen rushing out of their buildings into the open to be safe. Not just Delhi, the earthquake spread alarm across North India. Panic is definitely not the solution to save yourself in an emergency when an earthquake strikes. So, let's know how an earthquake occurs and what you should do if you encounter such a situation. 

Notably, earthquakes of less than five magnitude on the Richter scale are considered mild and about 6,000 such earthquakes occur in a year. Earthquakes of magnitude 5 to 5.9 are considered medium grade and there are 800 such earthquakes every year.

Significantly, the dangerous ones are the earthquakes of 6 to 6.9 magnitude and above, which occur around 120 times in a year. Earthquakes of 7 to 7.9 magnitude come about 18 times a year and the ones with 8 to 8.9 magnitude usually occur once a year. Earthquakes bigger than these scales usually have a possibility to occur once in 20 years.

How does destruction take place when an earthquake strikes?

Earth is located on 12 tectonic layers, below which there is lava. Earthquakes usually occur when these layers of the earth collide and rub against each other. These layers are floating on the lava and their collisions releases energy, which in turn displace everything above it to a certain extent depending upon the severity of the quake.

Dangerous Areas in Delhi

Low Hazard Areas - Delhi Ridge Area, Medium Hazard Areas - South West, North West, Western Areas, High Risk - North, North East, Eastern Areas.

What to do when an earthquake strikes

1. Get out of the house into the open. Try and carry some water with you as you do not know till when the emergency may last. 

2. If trapped in the house, get under a bed or strong table.

3. You can stand in the corners of the house and if there is no solution, then go on the roof.

4. Avoid using elevators and stairs during and in the immediate aftermath of an earthquake. 

5. Be very careful of falling debris from buildings and even power pylons as the wires may break and fall.