1993 Latur earthquake

1993 Latur earthquake
1993 Latur earthquake is located in Maharashtra
1993 Latur earthquake
1993 Latur earthquake is located in India
1993 Latur earthquake
UTC time1993-09-29 22:25:48
ISC event210578
USGS-ANSSComCat
Local date30 September 1993 (1993-09-30)
Local time03:56
Magnitude6.2 Mw
6.3 Ms
Depth10 km (6.2 mi)
Epicenter18°04′N 76°37′E / 18.07°N 76.62°E / 18.07; 76.62
TypeReverse
Areas affectedIndia
Total damage$280 million–1.3 billion
Max. intensityVIII (Severe)

VIII (Damaging)
Casualties9,748 dead
30,000 injured
1 million displaced

The 1993 Latur earthquake struck India at 3:56 am local time (UTC+05:30) on 30 September. The main area affected is the districts of Latur and Osmanabad, including the Ausa block of Latur and Omerga of Osmanabad in Maharashtra, Western India. Fifty-two villages were demolished in the intraplate earthquake. It measured 6.2 on the moment magnitude scale, and approximately 10,000 people died, whilst another 30,000 were injured. The earthquake's hypocenter was around 10 km deep – relatively shallow – allowing shock waves to cause more damage. It is considered the deadliest earthquake in the stable continental crust to have occurred in recorded history.

Because the location does not lie on a plate boundary, there was some debate as to what caused the earthquake. The Indian sub-continent crumples as it pushes against Asia and pressure is released. It is possible that this pressure is released along fault lines. Another argument is that reservoir construction along the Terna was responsible for increasing pressure on fault lines. Killari, where the epicenter of the quake is believed to have been, had a large crater, which remains in place to date.

Background and geology

The Latur area, and indeed peninsular India where it is located, was previously considered having the least possibility of seismic activity. Prior to 1967 there had been only three recorded notable earthquakes in peninsular India. The Koyna earthquake, a few hundred miles west of Latur in 1967 was the most recent one. Latur area is near the eastern end of Deccan Traps formed by flood basalt. The basalt flows in the area are estimated to be 450 meters thick). The terrain is generally flat.

Details

  • Deadliest earthquake in state of Maharashtra.
  • Main districts affected were Latur and Osmanabad.
  • Occurred around 3.56am IST.
  • 52 villages affected and destroyed.
  • 10,000 people killed and 30,000 injured.
  • Huge hollow in Killari, epicentre of quake still remains.
  • With measurement in moment magnitude scale of 6.4.
  • Casualties of being killed and injured high as it being densely populated.
  • Shockwaves causing high damage as earthquake focus being 12 km deep.
  • Relief teams and rescue workers with support from foreign and local support reached immediately.
  • Deaths included many women and children.
  • Financial assistance of Rs 46.55 lakhs for handicapped people.
  • World Bank offering funding and financial and other assistance for reconstruction of Latur.
  • Villagers provided with 299 cattle.

Relief efforts

Several foreign and local donors reacted immediately to the tragedy by sending relief teams and rescue workers. Physicians and staff from Railway Hospital, Solapur and V.M. Medical College, Solapur were amongst the first to reach the site and assisted with treatment of the injured over the next several weeks. The first convoy of over 120 trucks laden with relief material such as tents, blankets, food and clothing, medical supplies and temporary shelters given by international donors departed from Mumbai at around 10am on 2 October 1993. 42nd battalion of MIL, The Indian Army, State Reserve Police Force, Central Reserve Police Force and other law enforcement agencies rushed their personnel almost immediately after the quake, assuming there would be a greater number of casualties.

See also


This page was last updated at 2024-02-05 17:47 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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