Recent alerts from Japan about the possibility of a massive earthquake have renewed concerns in India about a similar threat in the Himalayan region. Japan sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire and is prone to powerful earthquakes, but scientists say the Himalayas, too, remain one of the world’s most dangerous seismic zones.
What is the Great Himalayan Earthquake?
The term “Great Himalayan Earthquake” refers to a potential, extremely high-magnitude quake along the Main Himalayan Thrust the major fault line running beneath the Himalayas. This is the zone where the Indian tectonic plate continues to push underneath the Eurasian plate, building up stress deep underground year after year.
When this stress finally releases, scientists warn that it could trigger an earthquake of magnitude eight or higher, capable of causing severe devastation across northern India, Nepal and nearby regions.
The Himalayas have experienced major earthquakes in the past. The 1934 Bihar–Nepal earthquake and the 2015 Nepal earthquake both caused large-scale destruction. The fear today is amplified because of the region’s dense population, fragile buildings and the likelihood of massive landslides and avalanches.
Should India be worried?
According to Dr Om Prakash Mishra, Director of the National Centre for Seismology, India may not need to panic right now. He says the Himalayas appear to be slowly releasing built-up stress through frequent, very small earthquakes. These magnitude 2.5 to 3.5 tremors are too minor to cause damage but act as a natural release valve within the tectonic plates.
This gradual stress release, known as aseismic creep may be delaying a major rupture. However, scientists emphasise that the deeper tectonic forces have not changed. The long-term risk of a major earthquake remains.
India updates its seismic risk map
India recently carried out a major revision of its seismic zonation map under the updated Bureau of Indian Standards Earthquake Design Code. For the first time, the entire Himalayan arc has been placed in a newly created Zone VI the highest-risk category.
The update marks one of the most significant changes in the country’s earthquake-hazard assessment in decades. Nearly sixty-one per cent of India is now classified as facing moderate to high seismic risk. This highlights the need for stronger infrastructure, community preparedness and better early-warning systems.
A region watching and waiting
As Japan prepares for its own possible megaquake, the Himalayan region remains alert. Scientists agree that smaller quakes may be easing some of the pressure, but they also warn that nature is only buying time. The possibility of a great Himalayan earthquake still exists, and continuous monitoring and preparedness remain essential.