Seismology

The tradition of seismological studies in CSIR-NGRI is long and strong with diversification from recording and locating earthquakes to constructing hazard maps at city level, investigating intraplate mega earthquakes as well as reservoir triggered seismicity, probing the structure of crust and mantle over the subcontinent, particularly beneath the Himalaya, the youngest and highest mountain chain in the world and the Andaman subduction zone. The seismological observatory was operational in 1967 and has been providing earthquake records to the national and international scientific community and public ever since as well as robust and quick information on local and regional earthquakes to Government Disaster Management agencies, print and electronic media. This observatory has played a crucial role in monitoring earthquake activity in the Eastern Dharwar Craton (EDC), the Godavari graben and southern west part of the Deccan Volcanic Province (DVP). As a result several new and major sources of seismically active regions have been identified and localized.  They are: Ongole, Badhrachalam, Cuddapah basin, Kolar and Hyderabad region in EDC, Koyna, Broach and Killari in south western part of the Deccan Volcanic Province. Over the recent years scientists from the Observatory has taken a lead in promoting installation and effective use of school based seismographs and earthquake data for education and scientific research along with outreach education to teachers, students at all levels.