Individuals asking about how many seismic zones there are in India can get complete knowledge from this section.
According to the seismic zoning map of the country, India is divided into four seismic zones. Also known as earthquake zones, these seismic zones are formed on the basis of scientific inputs related to the following:
- The Seismicity or the Frequency of Earthquakes in a Region
- Earthquakes That Have Hit the Country in the Past
The four zones of earthquake in India, as discussed below:
- Seismic Zone II: Zone II is classified as the low-damage risk zone. This is the least seismically active zone, meaning the areas that fall under these zones in India have a low chance of having an earthquake. Zone II covers earthquake-prone areas, which are 41% of India. Here, the Indian Standard (IS) Code allots a zone factor of 0.10.
- Seismic Zone III: Seismic Zone 3/III is classified as the moderate-damage risk zone. Here, the IS Code allots 0.16 to this zone. Zone III, or moderate earthquake zone, covers 30% of India.
- Seismic Zone IV: Zone IV is considered the high-damage risk zone. The IS Code allots 0.24 to this zone. Moreover, 18% of the total area of the country belongs to Zone IV.
- Seismic Zone V: Zone V has the highest risk of damaging earthquakes. The IS Code has assigned a factor of 0.36 for this very high-risk damage zone. Around 11% of India falls under Zone V.
Note: There are no cities in India which fall under Seismic Zone I
The above-mentioned list of earthquake zones in India gives a comprehensive knowledge of the different zones and total areas they cover. Let us now take a look at the top 10 cities prone to an earthquake.