Earthquakes of big magnitude unlikely in Bengaluru region, says expert

C.P. Rajendran, geo-scientist and adjunct professor at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, says Bengaluru and its neighbourhood has a solid terrain with quite old crust

Updated - October 30, 2026 11:38 am IST - Bengaluru

According to a scientist, in Ballari, you can expect to have earthquakes with a magnitude of 4.5 to 5. But away from Ballari, towards the south and the Bengaluru region, they don’t expect earthquakes that could cause significant damage. | Photo Credit: Photo for representation only

On October 23, Timmojanahalli in Doddaballapur Taluk, Bengaluru Rural district, experienced a mild tremor with a magnitude of 3.0. The following day another tremor of magnitude 2.9 was recorded in Chikkaballapur district. The Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) said the magnitude and intensity experienced or observed in both tremors were low, and that people need not panic.

The Hindu spoke to C.P. Rajendran, geo-scientist and adjunct professor at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, to find out why the tremors occurred and whether the Bengaluru region is prone to earthquakes.

Recently low intensity tremors were observed in Bengaluru Rural and Chikkaballapur districts. What could be the reason behind back to back tremors? Should people worry?

These things do happen. They are minor quakes that could happen anywhere. People need not worry. Bengaluru and its neighbourhood has a solid terrain with quite old crust. To my knowledge and based on science, we do not expect big earthquakes in or around Bengaluru. The biggest earthquake and a damaging one to occur in recent times was in Latur in 1994 with a magnitude of 6.3, and there was another earthquake in 1967 in Koynanagar, Maharashtra.

At what magnitude should people worry?

Maybe at a magnitude of 4.5. Based on our experience with other parts of the peninsular region, that is when people have to worry. But I don’t expect big earthquakes of 5 magnitude or so in Bengaluru. But in Ballari, there are some areas where you can expect to have earthquakes with a magnitude of 4.5 to 5 because that area is closer to Latur and the Maharashtra area. But away from Ballari, towards the south and the Bengaluru region, we don’t expect damaging earthquakes.

Under what seismic zone does the Bengaluru region fall? Is there a history of Bengaluru city experiencing high earthquakes?

The Bengaluru region falls under Zone II, which is relatively safe. As far as earthquakes recorded in Bengaluru city are concerned, tremors have been recorded many times — of magnitude 2 or 3 on the Richter scale — very frequently.

When an earthquake occurs with a magnitude of 2.9 or 3.0, as in the case of Bengaluru Rural and Chikkaballapur districts recently, what exactly happens? Do buildings shake? Does furniture move?

With a magnitude of this kind, I don’t think you will have a situation where the furniture will move, or any damage. With this magnitude, there will be some vibrations. But if it goes to 3.5 magnitude, very close to the epicentre, you might get cracks on the wall and so on because of the vibration.

Do people get to experience tremors at the magnitude of 2.9 or 3.0?

They do, again depending upon the time of the day. If they are sleeping, they might not. But if it is day time, if they are working or walking around, they might feel the vibration.

Published - October 30, 2026 11:36 am IST

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