Explained: What made the rumbling sounds during Delhi earthquake
What's the story
A 4.0 magnitude earthquake jolted Delhi and its surrounding National Capital Region (NCR) on Monday at around 5:36am. According to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), the epicenter was near Durgabai Deshmukh College of Special Education in Dhaula Kuan, at a shallow depth of 5km. Many residents also reported hearing rumbling sounds during the earthquake.
Seismic phenomena
Rumbling sounds during earthquake explained
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), these sounds are often associated with shallow-focus earthquakes as seismic waves reach the air and become sound waves. The shallower the epicenter, the more energy can reach the surface. High-frequency seismic waves pass through the ground, sometimes creating audible sounds. Hard ground also tends to amplify rumbling.
Public reaction
Social media reacts to Delhi earthquake
Social media was flooded with reactions from residents caught unaware by the quake. One user tweeted, "Never felt earthquake like this in Delhi before. Even first floor was shaking." Another expressed disbelief at the intensity: "It felt harder than 4.0 for sure." Some residents also complained of not receiving any emergency alerts on their phones before the tremor struck, questioning why emergency alerts weren't working despite being activated on mobile devices.
Twitter Post
Loud boom heard
Earquake in delhi.
— ANKIT BHOLA (@ANKITBHOLA13) February 17, 2025
Massive 😱
Listen the sound in video (Earphones)@ABPNews @aajtak pic.twitter.com/EOlWi0A6oN
Official response
PM Modi urges calm, vigilance following earthquake
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the situation, urging citizens to remain calm and vigilant. He advised people to follow safety protocols in preparation for potential aftershocks. The earthquake was also felt in other parts of North India. Delhi falls under Zone IV of India's seismic map, which has a history of moderate earthquakes. The city often experiences tremors of earthquakes originating in the Himalayas, Afghanistan or China.