Expansion of National Seismological Network

Summary of Parliamentary Information on the National Seismological Network

The National Centre for Seismology (NCS), established in August 2014 under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), has significantly enhanced India's national seismic observatory infrastructure. The following points provide key insights into the developments in India's seismic monitoring capabilities and microzonation efforts:

• Expansion of Seismic Observatories:

  • The number of operational seismic observatories has increased from approximately 84 in 2014 to 168 currently.
  • These observatories report real-time data via Very-Small-Aperture Terminal (VSAT) technology.

• Earthquake Reporting and Data:

  • The NCS publishes monthly earthquake summary reports that document earthquake activity, accessible through their website (seismo.gov.in).
  • Since April 2020, a total of 39 major/significant earthquake reports have been issued.
  • The NCS has also provided information regarding 80,029 earthquakes occurring in the defined geographic grid of 0-40°N and 60-100°E, covering the period from January 2020 to June 2025.

• Seismic Microzonation Initiatives:

  • The Ministry of Earth Sciences produces seismic microzonation data based on guidelines established by the MoES.
  • Initial focus cities included Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Guwahati, Jabalpur, Dehradun, Ahmedabad, Gandhidham, and Gangtok.
  • Since 2018, around 30 additional cities have been selected for seismic microzonation, with cities such as Chennai, Coimbatore, Bhubaneswar, and Mangalore already included.
  • Other cities including Patna, Varanasi, Lucknow, Kanpur, Meerut, Agra, Dhanbad, and Amritsar are nearing completion of their seismic assessments.
  • Future plans include the assessment of cities in Himachal Pradesh, such as Sundernagar, Una, Palampur, Shimla, Kangra, and Dharamsala.

• Government's Commitment:

  • The updates were presented by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, during a written question in the Lok Sabha, indicating a continued commitment from the government to enhance earthquake preparedness and response strategies.

This structured approach towards seismic monitoring and microzonation aims to bolster India’s resilience against earthquakes, ensuring that urban planning and construction adhere to seismic safety protocols, thereby minimizing potential damages in the event of seismic activities.

Key Facts Summary:

• Expansion of seismic observatories since 2014 (from 84 to 168).
• Monthly earthquake reports published by NCS.
• 39 reports of significant earthquakes since April 2020.
• Data on 80,029 earthquakes from January 2020 to June 2025.
• Seismic microzonation of 30 cities initiated since 2018.
• Future assessments planned for Himachal Pradesh cities.