Vizag Jolted By Earthquake: Is the City Vulnerable to Tremors?

Residents of Visakhapatnam were jolted out of their sleep after tremors were reportedly felt across the city around 4:20 a.m.
According to reports, a mild earthquake measuring 3.7 struck early on Tuesday (November 4), sparking panic among residents.

The epicentre was believed to be near G Madugula village in Alluri Sitarama Raju district, which likely triggered tremors across the Port City.
Residents of Murali Nagar, Gajuwaka, Madhurawada, MVP Colony, and Gopalapatnam reported feeling the tremors and rushed out of their homes as a precaution.

Officials confirmed the quake, stating it was of low intensity with no damage to life or property. However, residents were advised to remain alert.
Soon after, people took to X (formerly Twitter) seeking confirmation about the earthquake in Vizag.

Studies show that the region is not highly earthquake-prone, with only about five quakes of magnitude 4.0 or higher recorded within a 300 km radius over the past decade.

Visakhapatnam lies in Seismic Zone II, the country’s lowest damage-risk category. Experts describe the coastal Andhra region, including Vizag, as a “highly stable seismic zone with moderate to minor tectonic activity.”

However, scientists caution that offshore fault lines—such as those in the Krishna-Godavari Basin—and weak coastal soils could still amplify ground movement or cause liquefaction during stronger events.

Past Earthquakes in Vizag
 

A 2.9-magnitude tremor was recorded on December 17, 2024, about 208 km north of Visakhapatnam. Earlier, a 1.8-magnitude quake occurred off the city’s east coast on November 14, 2021.