Bhuj earthquake 2001
Also called: Gujarat earthquake 2001, Gujarat earthquake · Topic: Natural Hazards and Disaster Management in India · NCERT: Class 9, Ch 2 "Shaping of the Earth's Surface"; Class 11, Ch 6 "Natural Hazards and Disasters: Causes, Consequences and Management"
Meaning
The Bhuj earthquake, also called the Gujarat earthquake, struck Kachchh in Gujarat on 26 January 2001. Its magnitude was about 7.7, and about 20,000 people died. Strong shaking also caused soil liquefaction, where wet, loose sand loses its strength and flows like a liquid. The quake was India's turning point from giving relief after disasters to preparing before them. It led to the Gujarat State Disaster Management Act 2003.
Example
The epicentre was in Kachchh district, near the town of Bhuj. Kachchh lies in India's highest seismic zone (Zone V). Buildings there collapsed, and sand boils (spouts of sand and water) appeared where the ground liquefied.
Don't confuse with
- Latur earthquake 1993: Latur was in the Peninsula in Maharashtra, at about magnitude 6.2, and killed about 10,000. Bhuj was stronger, killed about 20,000, and changed India's disaster policy.
Related concepts
- Himalayan earthquakes
- Seismic zones of India
- Bhima fault
- Reservoir-induced earthquake
- Latur earthquake 1993
- 2005 Kashmir earthquake