Gangtok, Feb 26: An earthquake measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale struck Sikkim at 11:50 AM on Thursday, February 26, with its epicentre in Gyalshing district, officials said.
Tremors were felt across several parts of the state, though there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. Authorities said the situation is being closely monitored.
Earlier, on February 6 at 01:09:27 IST, a magnitude 4.5 earthquake had hit the same region. The epicentre was recorded at 27.31°N and 88.18°E at a depth of 10 km, about 6 km west of Pelling, 31 km north-northwest of Darjeeling, 42 km west of Gangtok and 68 km north-northwest of Siliguri.
The February 6 quake triggered at least 12 aftershocks within four hours and 30 minutes, with magnitudes ranging from 2.2 to 4.0, mostly eastward of the main shock.
Seismic analysis indicated that the event occurred near the Tista Fault/Lineament and south of the magnitude 6.9 earthquake of September 18, 2011. The region is considered highly seismically active due to collisional tectonics, where the Indian plate moves beneath the Eurasian plate.
Reports noted a maximum intensity of VI on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale in the epicentral area, while lower intensities of II were recorded up to 250 km away. Authorities continue to assess the situation.
