Why Did Delhi Earthquake Feel So Strong Despite Low Magnitude?

Despite falling in the moderate category, the tremors were strong enough to shake houses and forced people in several high-rise buildings in Delhi and Noida.

Delhi-NCR falls in Seismic Zone IV, making it prone to moderate to strong earthquakes.

Source : ABPLIVE AI

Delhi-NCR woke up to strong tremors on Wednesday as a 4.4-magnitude earthquake struck the region. Despite falling in the moderate category, the tremors were strong enough to shake houses and forced people in several high-rise buildings in Delhi, Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad to rush out.

People who reported to work felt the strong tremors, while some who had morning tea were shaken.

#WATCH | An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.4 on the Richter Scale hit Jhajjar, Haryana at 9.04 am IST today. Strong tremors felt in Delhi-NCR.

A man in Gurugram, Haryana says, "We were sitting here and having tea when I suddenly felt strong earthquakes. I told everyone to rush… pic.twitter.com/793bYk4iH9

— ANI (@ANI) July 10, 2025

Experts said the impact of the earthquake felt stronger than usual because of its shallow depth. The National Centre for Seismology said the earthquake struck at a focal depth of 10 kilometres in Haryana's Jhajjar around 9 am.

Shallow earthquakes, originating five or 10 kilometres below the surface, tend to cause more damage than those originating deep below the surface. Also, earthquakes with epicentres within a city result in more intense shaking since seismic waves travel a shorter distance.

Delhi-NCR falls in Seismic Zone IV, making it prone to moderate to strong earthquakes. Buildings, particularly high-rises, sway more due to their design, increasing the perceived intensity of shaking, the experts added.