Earthquake Zones of India MCQs
1. How many seismic zones is India divided into according to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)?
India is divided into 4 seismic zones: Zone II, Zone III, Zone IV, and Zone V. (Zone I was merged with Zone II).
2. Which seismic zone represents the highest risk of earthquakes?
Zone V is the 'Very High Damage Risk Zone', covering areas with the highest seismicity.
3. Which of the following cities lies in Seismic Zone V?
The entire North-Eastern region, including Guwahati, falls under Zone V.
4. The National Capital Region (Delhi) falls under which seismic zone?
Delhi-NCR is located in Seismic Zone IV (High Damage Risk Zone).
5. Which agency is responsible for releasing the Seismic Zoning Map of India?
The BIS publishes the seismic zoning map and building codes (IS 1893).
6. Approximately what percentage of India's landmass is prone to earthquakes of moderate to severe intensity?
About 59% of the land area of India is liable to seismic hazard damage.
7. The Latur earthquake (1993) occurred in which state?
The devastating Latur earthquake struck the Killari region in Maharashtra.
8. Which zone is referred to as the 'Low Damage Risk Zone'?
Zone II is considered the low-intensity zone. Zone I does not currently exist in the classification.
9. The Bhuj earthquake of 2001 occurred on which date?
The massive earthquake struck the Kutch region of Gujarat on Republic Day, 2001.
10. The Himalayas are geologically unstable and fall mostly under which seismic zones?
The Himalayan belt is seismically very active and falls largely into the high-risk zones IV and V.
11. Which city is considered safer from earthquakes (Zone II)?
Hyderabad lies on the Deccan Plateau, which is relatively stable and falls under Zone II.
12. The instrument used to record earthquake waves is called:
Seismographs are instruments used to record the motion of the ground during an earthquake.
13. The point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake is called:
The epicenter is the point on the surface vertically above the focus (hypocenter).
14. Which region in India is known as the 'Zone of Minimum Intensity'?
Zone II implies low risk of damage. India does not have a Zone I or Zone 0 in the current classification.
15. The Koyna earthquake (1967) in Maharashtra is an example of:
It is believed to be triggered by the impounding of water in the Koyna Dam reservoir.
16. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands fall under which seismic zone?
The islands are located near the boundary of the Indian and Burmese tectonic plates, placing them in the highest risk zone.
17. Which scale is used to measure the intensity (visible damage) of an earthquake?
The Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale measures the intensity based on observed effects and damage.
18. Zone III is classified as:
Zone III signifies a moderate risk of earthquake damage.
19. Which of the following states has areas in all four seismic zones (II, III, IV, V)?
Maharashtra has regions spanning across different seismic zones, from the stable Deccan trap to the fault lines near Koyna and the coast.
20. The 1934 Bihar-Nepal earthquake was one of the worst in Indian history. Which zone does North Bihar fall into?
North Bihar, near the Nepal border, lies in the very high-risk Zone V.
21. What is 'Liquefaction' in the context of earthquakes?
It occurs in saturated loose soil during intense shaking, often causing buildings to sink or tilt.
22. The Indian plate is moving in which direction, causing stress in the Himalayas?
The Indian plate is moving North-Eastwards and colliding with the Eurasian plate, creating the Himalayas and seismic activity.
23. IS 1893 is the Indian Standard code for:
This code provides criteria for the design of earthquake-resistant buildings in India.
24. Chennai falls under which Seismic Zone?
Chennai was upgraded from Zone II to Zone III following re-evaluation of seismic risks.
25. Which is the most recent major earthquake in the Himalayan region?
The Gorkha earthquake in 2015 caused widespread destruction in Nepal and tremors were felt across North India.
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🌍 Earthquake Zones of India
🔹 Introduction
India lies at the intersection of the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate, making it one of the most seismically active regions in the world. Earthquakes have been a recurring hazard in various parts of the country. To assess and mitigate this risk, the country is divided into different seismic zones.
🔹 Causes of Earthquakes in India
- Plate Tectonics: Collision of the Indian Plate with the Eurasian Plate causes seismic activity.
- Fault Lines: Movements along faults like the Himalayan Frontal Thrust and Main Boundary Thrust.
- Volcanic Activity: Rare in India but can trigger minor tremors (e.g., Andaman region).
- Human Activities: Mining, dam construction, and groundwater extraction can induce seismicity.
🔹 Seismic Zoning in India
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has divided the country into four seismic zones in IS 1893 (Part 1): 2002. Earlier there were five zones, but Zone I was merged into Zone II.
| Zone | Description | Zone Factor | Damage Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone II | Low seismic risk | 0.10 | Low |
| Zone III | Moderate seismic risk | 0.16 | Moderate |
| Zone IV | High seismic risk | 0.24 | Severe |
| Zone V | Very high seismic risk | 0.36 | Very Severe |
🔹 Zone-Wise Coverage
📍 Zone V – Very High Risk
- Covers areas with the highest intensity of earthquakes (MSK IX and above).
- Includes: North-East India, parts of Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Bihar (North), and Andaman-Nicobar Islands.
📍 Zone IV – High Risk
- Regions experience damaging earthquakes (MSK VIII).
- Includes: Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, parts of Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, and West Bengal (North).
📍 Zone III – Moderate Risk
- Regions face occasional strong tremors (MSK VII).
- Includes: Maharashtra, Kerala, Goa, parts of Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha.
📍 Zone II – Low Risk
- Least seismically active; minor tremors (MSK VI or lower).
- Includes: parts of Karnataka, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and central India.
🔹 Major Earthquakes in India (Historical)
| Year | Location | Magnitude | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Muzaffarabad (J&K) | 7.6 | Thousands killed, widespread damage |
| 2001 | Bhuj, Gujarat | 7.7 | ~20,000 deaths, major infrastructure collapse |
| 1993 | Latur, Maharashtra | 6.2 | ~10,000 deaths, unexpected area |
| 1950 | Assam-Tibet | 8.6 | One of the strongest ever recorded in India |
| 1905 | Kangra, Himachal | 7.8 | ~20,000 deaths |
🔹 Map of Seismic Zones of India
A map is often asked in exams. It shows:
- Zone V – Red (Most vulnerable)
- Zone IV – Orange
- Zone III – Yellow
- Zone II – Blue (Least vulnerable)
Markings are especially useful for quick revision and mapping-based MCQs.
🔹 Why North-East India is Most Vulnerable?
- Located at the junction of the Indian and Burmese plates.
- Frequent seismic movements and shallow-focus earthquakes.
- Historical data shows frequent quakes above 6.0 magnitude.
🔹 Earthquake Preparedness in India
- NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority) issues guidelines.
- BIS Codes regulate earthquake-resistant building construction.
- Disaster drills and community awareness programs.
- Inclusion of disaster education in schools and colleges.
🔹 Urban Vulnerability & Risk
- High-rise buildings and dense populations increase impact.
- Delhi, Guwahati, Srinagar are highly vulnerable urban centers.
- Poor construction standards and unregulated urban growth compound risks.
🔹 UPSC/SSC/JKSSB PYQs
- Q1: Which zone has the highest seismic risk?
👉 A. Zone V ✅ - Q2: Which city lies in Zone IV?
👉 A. Delhi ✅ - Q3: What is the magnitude of the 2001 Bhuj earthquake?
👉 A. 7.7 ✅ - Q4: Which BIS code deals with seismic zoning?
👉 A. IS 1893 ✅
🔹 People Also Ask (FAQs)
- Q: How many seismic zones are there in India?
A: Four – Zone II to Zone V. - Q: Which part of India is most earthquake-prone?
A: North-East India and Himalayas. - Q: Is Delhi in an earthquake zone?
A: Yes, in Zone IV. - Q: Which was the deadliest earthquake in India?
A: Bhuj (2001) in recent history; Assam (1950) was strongest.
🖚 Conclusion
Understanding the earthquake zones of India is crucial for disaster preparedness, planning, and safety. From Zone II to Zone V, every region has its own risk profile. For exams, remember the zone-wise states, major historical quakes, seismic codes, and the role of NDMA.