5.5-magnitude earthquake jolts Leh, Ladakh

Two moderate earthquakes struck the Union Territory of Ladakh within four hours on Thursday, causing alarm among residents, according to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS). The stronger tremor, measuring 5.5 magnitude, hit Leh at 6:05 am IST, while a subsequent quake of 4.3 magnitude followed nearly four hours later. Both earthquakes originated at a depth of 10 kilometers, with their epicenters located at 36.881°N latitude and 74.402°E longitude for the first quake, and 36.76°N latitude and 75.326°E longitude for the second.

Despite the earthquakes occurring within a seismically active zone, there were no immediate reports of casualties or property damage. Shallow earthquakes, such as these, can produce stronger shaking at the surface due to seismic waves traveling a shorter distance before reaching the ground. The full impact of an earthquake depends on its magnitude, depth, distance from populated areas, and the structural vulnerability of buildings.