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The 2001 Gujarat earthquake occurred on January 26, 2001, at 08:46 AM, and coincided with the 51st celebration of India's Republic Day. The location of the epicentre was Bhuj (23.6° N 69.8° E) Gujarat, India. With a moment magnitude (Mw) of between 7.6 and 8.1, the quake killed more than 20,000 people and injured another 167,000 and destroyed nearly 400,000 homes throughout Gujarat. The quake also killed 18 people in South eastern Pakistan.[3]
The earthquake is considered an intraplate earthquake because it occurred at a distance from any plate boundary, where the theory of plate tectonics says most earthquakes of this size happen. Because of this, this area was not well prepared for an earthquake of such size. The event was the result of stored energy in a collision margin, which describes when two continental plates collide and begin to rub, creating pressure, until the energy is released in a quake. It registered as 7.9 on the richter scale.
Effects
Because of its size and location, the quake was very destructive in terms of lives lost and damage to property. As many as 26,000 people were reported dead, and 167,000 injured. All the deaths occurred in India's western state of Gujarat, near the Pakistan border. The final death toll of Kutch was 12,220. Bhuj, situated only 20 kilometres (14 miles) from the epicentre, was the most devastated town. Overall, over a million structures were damaged or destroyed, including many historic buildings and tourist attractions.[4]
The quake destroyed around 90% of the homes in Bhuj, eight schools, and flattened two hospitals. It partly destroyed the historic Swaminarayan temple in the city. Considerable damage also occurred in Bhachau. It also destroyed 4 km of road in Bhuj. In Ahmedabad, Gujarat's commercial capital and a city of 4.6 million population, as many as 50 multi storied buildings collapsed and several hundred people were killed. Total property damage was estimated at $5.5 billion and rising. The quake destroyed 75% of Kutch District, and over 80% of usable food and water supplies. This left Bhuj devastated.
The district collector Anil Mukim oversaw the early delivery of aid and equipment to affected villages but then called for further aid deliveries to cease as they encouraged a "relief mentality" which would delay a return to normal life.[5]
The shock waves spread 700 km. 21 districts were affected and 600,000 people left homeless.
Pakistan sends relief
Pakistan sent a planeload of relief supplies to Ahmedabad, which carried 200 tents and more than 2,000 Blankets .[6] Furthermore the Chief Executive called the Indian Prime Minister to express his sympathy over the loss from the earthquake. This marked the first time the two sides had spoken with each other since Musharraf came to power in 1999.[7]
References
External links
Coordinates: 23°36′N 69°48′E / 23.6°N 69.8°E / 23.6; 69.8
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