According to GSHAP data, the state of Rajasthan falls in a region of moderate to high seismic hazard. As per the 2002 Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) map, Rajasthan falls in Zones II, III & IV. Historically, parts of this state have experienced seismic activity in the M 5.0 range.
Largest Instrumented Earthquake in Rajasthan
- 15 August 1906 – Thar Desert, Rajasthan, Mw 6.2
- This event was located along the India-Pakistan border, in the vicinity of Janpalia, Rajasthan which is located north-northwest of Bakhasar.
Classification of districts of Rajasthan according to seismic zones:
| S. No. | Seismic Zone | Intensity (MSK) | Magnitude | Districts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IV [High Damage Risk Zone] | VII-VIII | 6.0 – 6.9 | Some parts of Barmer [Chohtan Block], Jalore [Sanchore Block] Alwar [Tijara Block], and Bharatpur [Block Nagar, Pahari] |
| 2 | III [Moderate Damage Risk Zone] | VI-VII | 5.0 – 5.9 | Some parts of Udaipur, Dungarpur, Sirohi, Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Jhunjhunu, Parts of Sikar, Jaipur, Dausa, and Bharatpur. |
| 3 | II [Low damage Risk Zone] | IV-VI | 4.0 – 4.0 | Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Churu, Jodhpur, Pali, Rajasamand, Chittorgarh, Jhalawar, Baran, Kota, Bundi, Sawai Madhopur, Karauli, Dholpur, Banswara, some areas of Bikaner, Udaipur, Jhunjhunu, Sikar, and Jaipur. |
Seismic Faults in Rajasthan
Several faults have been identified in Rajasthan, out of which many show evidence of movement during the Holocene epoch.
- The Cambay Graben terminates in the south-western part of the state.
- The Konoi Fault near Jaisalmer trends in a north-south direction and was associated with the 1991 Jaisalmer earthquake.
Several active faults criss-cross the Aravalli range and lie parallel to each other.
- The most prominent of them is the north-south trending Sardar Shahar Fault and
- The Great Boundary Fault which runs along the Chambal River and then continues in the same direction into Uttar Pradesh.
