Earthquake measuring 5 on Richter scale hits Andaman Islands region

An earthquake measuring 5 on the Richter scale hit the Andaman Islands region at 7. 24 am on Monday. No casualty to life or property has been reported yet. It is pertinent to mention that this region falls on the Ring of Fire.

Nine medium intensity earthquakes, with a magnitude ranging from 4.7 to 5.2, hit the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Monday morning, all in a span of two hours, according to the National Centre for Seismology. The first jolt with a magnitude of 4.9 occurred at 5.14 AM, followed by another jolt with a magnitude of 5 a couple of minutes later. The last jolt was recorded at 6.54 AM with a magnitude of 5.2, it said.

The Andaman and the Nicobar archipelago is prone to earthquakes. It is also not unusual for the islands to witness more than two-three quakes a day. 

On March 23, a medium intensity earthquake had hit the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The quake measured 5.1 on the Richter Scale. On February 13, an earthquake measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale had hit the Andaman Islands region. The  Andaman and Nicobar archipelago is prone to earthquakes and it is not unusual for the residents of the Island. 

Frank Hoogerbeets, who runs earthquake forecasting website Ditrianum, has once again predicted that a massive earthquake measuring somewhere around 6 to 7 in the Richter scale could take place soon. In a recent post, Hoogerbeets said that a rare planetary alignment which will begin on March 15 is the reason behind an increase in seismic activities in the coming days.

It may be noted that experts have previously dismissed Hoogerbeets’ claims, saying that there is no way earthquakes can be predicted.