Remember. Protect. Build Disaster Resilience.
destruction and results from tectonic plate movements and the release of built-up stress along faults. The UN has declared April 29 as “The International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes,” and it is being observed for the first time in 2026. Earthquakes strike suddenly, often without warning. They can trigger tsunamis, landslides, and fires, compounding destruction. The Ring of Fire (around the Pacific Ocean) is the most seismically active region. India lies near the Himalayan collision zone, making northern and northeastern states highly prone. Other planets and moons in our solar system do show evidence of seismic activity (Mars quakes, moon quakes), though the causes differ from Earth’s tectonic plate movements. There are exemplary instances of preventive measures that have significantly reduced earthquake-related loss of life, with Japan demonstrating extraordinary resilience. As the UN Secretary-General says, “On this first International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes, let us honour those lost by investing in disaster resilience.”
Earthquakes Are Inevitable, But Devastation Is Not. Stronger Building Codes, Better Urban Planning, And Regular Drills Are Essential. International Solidarity Is Vital for Response and Recovery.
Dr António Guterres, UN Secretary-General
Natural disasters impact lives. Earthquakes are one such calamity that leaves major destruction. Earthquakes are a result of tectonic plate movements and the release of built-up stress along faults. The UN has declared April 29 as “The International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes,” and it is being observed for the first time in 2026. The day was chosen to mark the anniversary of the devastating 1966 Tashkent earthquake in Uzbekistan. The observation also emphasises honouring victims while mobilising practical action to strengthen preparedness, safer construction, and community resilience. Modern seismology uses the “Moment Magnitude Scale” to measure energy released, though historically, quakes were measured with the Richter Scale.
Honour Those Who Lost Their Lives In Earthquakes.
Stand In Solidarity With Survivors Through Memorials
And Psychosocial Support.
Earthquakes strike suddenly, often without warning. It can trigger tsunamis, landslides, and fires, compounding destruction. The countries most prone to earthquakes are those located along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” including Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, the Philippines, and Chile. India ranks among the top 20 globally, with high seismic risk in the Himalayan belt and northeast. Earthquakes have caused some of the highest disaster-related casualties in human history and account for ~25% of global disaster losses, in terms of both lives lost and property damage.
The strongest earthquakes in history occurred in Chile (1960), Sumatra (2004), and Japan (2011). An estimate puts the average at ~1,200 to 1,400 detectable earthquakes worldwide every day. Most are very small and go unnoticed, and only a handful (~15–20 per day) reach magnitude 4 on the Richter scale. Modern seismology uses the “Moment Magnitude Scale” to measure energy released.
Earthquakes remain one of the hardest natural hazards to predict in advance. Unlike cyclones or floods, they strike suddenly because the buildup of stress along tectonic faults is invisible until it releases. Varahamira devoted an entire chapter (Bhūkampa-lakṣaṇādhyāya) to earthquakes in the Bṛhat Saṃhitā (6th century), indicating that ancient knowledge understood this phenomenon.
Though human activity does not directly cause earthquakes, certain activities can trigger small to moderate seismic events or increase the damage when natural quakes occur. Removing large volumes of rock alters stress underground. Large dams (e.g., the Koyna Dam in Maharashtra) have been linked to tremors caused by water pressure on faults. Other planets and moons in our solar system do show evidence of seismic activity, though the causes differ from Earth’s tectonic plate movements. Scientists call these events “mars quakes,” “moon quakes,” or, more generally, “planetary seismicity.”
Nations across the globe collaborate to share earthquake information and data, including the USGS’s National Earthquake Information Centre and regional systems in Japan, Europe, and India. These systems provide near-real-time detection, alerts, and data sharing to improve preparedness and response worldwide.
Seconds of warning can mean the difference between safety and tragedy.
Japan Meteorological Agency
There are exemplary instances of preventive measures that have significantly reduced earthquake-related loss of life. Preparedness, strong building codes, and early warning systems save lives. In the 2011 Japan Tōhoku Earthquake, with a magnitude of 9, millions survived because of strict building codes and earthquake-resistant construction. Tokyo’s skyscrapers swayed but did not collapse, preventing catastrophic urban casualties. The Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) system provided seconds’ notice, halting trains and surgeries.
As the UN Secretary-General, Dr António Guterres, says, “On this first International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes, let us honour those lost by investing in disaster resilience.”
Earthquakes are inevitable, but devastation is not. Preparedness is the best protection.
UNDRR
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