Earthquake of 4.2 Magnitude Hits Gujarat, No Damage Reported

An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.2 struck Gujarat on Friday at 10:15 pm, with tremors felt in Ahmedabad and surrounding regions. The National Center for Seismology identified the epicenter near Mahesana at a depth of 10 km, located approximately 13 km south-south-west of Patan and 219 km north-east of Rajkot. Residents in northern districts like Banaskantha, Patan, Sabarkantha, and Mehsana reported feeling tremors lasting two to three seconds, prompting many to step outside their homes. Fortunately, there have been no reports of casualties or property damage.

Gujarat’s Recent Seismic Activity

This is the latest in a series of tremors felt in Gujarat recently:

• November 3: A 3.4-magnitude earthquake hit Kutch, with its epicenter located 53 km north-north-east of Lakhpat.
• October 27: A 3.7-magnitude tremor was recorded in Amreli district in the Saurashtra region.

No casualties or property loss were reported in either instance.

Gujarat’s Vulnerability to Earthquakes

Gujarat is highly prone to seismic activity, having experienced nine major earthquakes in the past 200 years. The most devastating was the

2001 Kutch earthquake, which had a magnitude of 6.9. With its epicenter near Bhachau, it caused massive destruction, killing nearly 13,800 people, injuring 1.67 lakh, and impacting the entire region. The Kutch earthquake remains one of India’s largest and most destructive seismic events in two centuries. Residents are reminded to stay vigilant, as the coastal state continues to face a high risk of seismic activity.

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SUMMARY

A 4.2-magnitude earthquake struck Gujarat on Friday night, with its epicenter near Mahesana. Tremors were felt in Ahmedabad and northern districts like Patan and Banaskantha, but no casualties or property damage were reported. This follows recent minor tremors in Kutch and Amreli districts earlier this month. Gujarat, prone to frequent seismic activity, experienced its most devastating earthquake in 2001 in Kutch, which caused widespread destruction and claimed nearly 13,800 lives. While Friday's quake caused no harm, it highlights the state's ongoing vulnerability to earthquakes.