4.5-magnitude Earthquake strikes Sikkim, no immediate reports of damage

A 4.5-magnitude earthquake struck Sikkim early Friday morning, with the epicenter located just 2 km from Soreng town in West Sikkim. The quake occurred at 6:57 am at a depth of 10 km, according to the National Center for Seismology. Although the tremors were mild, many residents stepped outside their homes, fearing the possibility of another quake. 

Sikkim's seismic risk

Sikkim is in a high-risk seismic zone, known as Zone IV, on the Indian seismic zoning map. The state is part of the Himalayan mountain range and is crossed by two major fault lines: the Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) and the Main Central Thrust (MCT). The region has experienced significant earthquakes in the past, including a 6.9-magnitude quake in 2011 that resulted in over 100 deaths and caused extensive damage. Despite the mildness of the recent quake, the state's history of seismic activity keeps residents on alert.

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