Seismic Zones of India: Earthquake-Prone Areas with PDF Map

Based on historical earthquake data and geological features, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has classified India into four seismic zones: Zone II, Zone III, Zone IV, and Zone V. Among these, Zone V is the most earthquake-prone (highest risk), while Zone II is the least.

In this article, we break down these seismic zones of India, highlight the most earthquake-prone areas, and list major Indian cities along with their respective seismic zones. We have also included a free downloadable PDF map for quick reference and revision, useful for competitive exams like UPSC.

Did You Know?

National Center for Seismology (NCS) is the nodal agency of the Government of India for monitoring earthquake activity in the country.

Earthquake Zones of India

India is prone to earthquakes due to its position at the intersection of multiple tectonic plates, including the Indian Plate, Eurasian Plate, and Burma Plate.

The ongoing collision between the Indian and Eurasian Plates, responsible for the formation of the Himalayas, makes northern and northeastern India highly vulnerable to seismic activity.

To manage this risk, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has classified the country into the following four earthquake zones (seismic zones) based on historical earthquake data and geological features:

1. Zone V
2. Zone IV
3. Zone III
4. Zone II

Why is there no Seismic Zone I in India?

India was earlier divided into five seismic zones (Zone I to Zone V). Zone I represented areas with the least seismic activity.

However, in 2002, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) revised the seismic zoning map. The areas previously classified under Zone I were merged with Zone II, making it the lowest seismic zone in the current classification.

This change was made to ensure that even the least earthquake-prone areas follow basic seismic safety standards.

The four seismic zones of India, along with the regions they cover and their major cities, are given below:

1. Zone V

• The most seismically active areas with a history of devastating earthquakes.
• Regions Covered:
  • Parts of Jammu and Kashmir (Kashmir valley); Parts of Himachal Pradesh; Eastern part of Uttarakhand, Kutch in Gujarat; part of Northern Bihar; all northeastern states of India and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
  • Includes major fault lines like the Himalayan Frontal Thrust and the Indo-Burma border.
  • Major Cities: Guwahati, Imphal, Bhuj, Joshimath, Srinagar, and Port Blair.

2. Zone IV

• Areas with frequent earthquakes and considerable risk of damage.
• Regions Covered:
  • Ladakh; Remaining parts of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand; Some parts of Haryana, Parts of Punjab; Delhi; Sikkim; the northern part of Uttar Pradesh; small portions of Bihar and West Bengal; parts of Gujarat and small portions of Maharashtra near the west coast and small part of western Rajasthan.
  • Lies along active tectonic boundaries like the Himalayan belt and Indo-Gangetic Plains.
  • Major Cities: Delhi, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Patna, Dehradun, and Gangtok.

3. Zone III

• Areas prone to moderate seismic activity with potential for significant damage.
• Regions Covered:
  • Kerala; Goa; Lakshadweep islands; parts of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana; parts of Gujarat and Punjab; parts of West Bengal, western Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh; parts of Bihar; northern parts of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh; parts of Maharashtra, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
  • Major Cities: Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Bhubaneswar, Kanpur, and Varanasi.

4. Zone II

• Areas with the least likelihood of experiencing destructive earthquakes.
• Regions Covered:
  • Remaining parts of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
  • Considered geologically stable with minimal tectonic activity.
  • Major Cities: Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ranchi, Bhopal, Prayagraj, and Jaipur.

Seismic Zones of Indian Cities

A state-wise list of important cities falling in various seismic zones is given below: