An earthquake of magnitude 2.9 struck Haryana's Faridabad on Thursday evening, with tremors reported in parts of Delhi-NCR, according to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS).
The earthquake occurred at 6.33 pm at a depth of 5 kilometres, the NCS said.
According to the agency, the epicentre was located at latitude 28.386 degrees north and longitude 77.258 degrees east, approximately 6 kilometres west-southwest of Faridabad.
The NCS confirmed the seismic activity through its official monitoring system, recording the earthquake at 6.33.20 pm.
Some residents reported hearing a loud, blast-like sound around the time of the tremor, raising questions about whether the noise was associated with the earthquake.
Experts said shallow earthquakes could sometimes produce audible rumbling or booming sounds because seismic waves travel relatively short distances before reaching the Earth's surface.
However, the precise cause of the sound reported by residents could not be independently established.
๐ฆ๐ต๐ฎ๐น๐น๐ผ๐ ๐พ๐๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฒ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฑ
The earthquake originated just 5 kilometres below the surface, making it a shallow seismic event.
Such earthquakes can sometimes be felt more distinctly near their epicentres because seismic energy has a shorter distance to travel before reaching the surface.
Despite its relatively low magnitude, the Faridabad earthquake attracted attention after residents reported a sudden rumbling or explosion-like sound.
Seismologists explain that small, shallow earthquakes can generate high-frequency vibrations capable of producing audible sounds resembling thunder, distant gunfire or explosions.
The intensity of these sounds depends on several factors, including the earthquake's depth, distance from the epicentre and local geological conditions.
๐๐ฒ๐น๐ต๐ถ-๐ก๐๐ฅ'๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ถ๐๐บ๐ถ๐ฐ ๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ธ
Delhi and adjoining areas fall under Seismic Zone IV, which is classified as a high-damage-risk zone under India's seismic zoning system.
The national capital region is influenced by several geological fault systems and its proximity to the Himalayan seismic belt.
Although low-magnitude earthquakes are relatively common in the region, experts have repeatedly emphasised the importance of earthquake-resistant construction and preparedness.
The National Centre for Seismology continues to monitor seismic activity across the country through its network of observatories.
The Thursday evening tremor was recorded as a magnitude 2.9 event, with its epicentre in Faridabad and a focal depth of 5 kilometres.