‘Almora fault’ behind high seismicity in 2023

Earthquake activity increased in 2023 due to the activation of the Almora fault in western Nepal, India’s Ministry of Earth Sciences has said.

The ministry told the Lok Sabha that there have been 97 earthquakes of magnitudes 3.0 to 3.9 in 2023 compared to 41 in 2022 . The activation in the Almora fault triggered significant earthquake incidents on Jan 24, Oct 3 and Nov 3. All these three earthquakes were over magnitude 5.8.  "These main shocks, accompanied by subsequent aftershocks, have led to an increased frequency of earthquakes in the year 2023. However, the background seismicity remained unchanged during this period," the ministry informed the parliament.

It is common for northern India and Nepal to occasionally experience moderate earthquakes, and fluctuations in seismic activity. Nepal and the neighboring northern parts of India, situated near the active faults of the Himalayan region, are highly seismically active areas prone to frequent earthquakes due to collision tectonics, where the Indian plate subducts beneath the Eurasian Plate," the statement reads.

On Nov 3, a powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.4 hit Jagarkot and Rukum West districts, killing 154 people and injuring hundreds. After that more than 382 aftershocks have been reported. Experts say western Nepal remains vulnerable to bigger earthquakes as there has not been a big earthquake in the region for at least 520 years.