Earthquake of magnitude 5 strikes China's Yunnan province in wee hours
A 5.0-magnitude earthquake struck Dali in China's Yunnan province early Thursday, the China Earthquake Networks Centre (CENC) reported. There are no immediate reports of damage or casualties. Authorities are monitoring the situation.The earthquake struck at 4:13 AM local time (2013 GMT) and had a depth of 10 kilometres (about 6.2 miles).ACTIVE PLATE COLLISIONS MAKE YUNNAN EARTHQUAKE-PRONEYunnan province often faces jolts due to its geographical location. It lies where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. These plates have been pushing against each other for millions of years, with the Indian plate moving about 5 centimetres north every year. This slow but powerful movement is also what created the Himalayas and causes frequent earthquakes in southwestern China, including Yunnan.advertisement
Due to this pressure, cracks form in the Earth's crust, particularly along fault lines like Longmenshan and Xiaohe-Baogunao. These areas have triggered strong earthquakes in the past.According to the China Earthquake Networks Centre (CENC), there have been 118 earthquakes measuring 3.0 magnitude or more within 200 kilometres of Dali in the last five years. The strongest was a 6.4 magnitude quake in May 2021. Yunnan's high mountains, which are part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, also make the area more likely to feel strong shaking.Yunnan also has a history of strong earthquakes, especially near Tengchong in the Gaoligong Mountains. That area has seen over 70 earthquakes stronger than magnitude 5, and it also has signs of underground activity like hot springs and old volcanic zones. These are further signs that the ground beneath Yunnan is very active and likely to produce more earthquakes in the future.Must Watch
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Hindustan Times
30 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Lakshadweep reefs resilient to climate heating, says two-decade study
Panaji: India's major coral reefs in the Lakshadweep Islands displayed strong resilience against climate heating, while those in the Gulf of Kachchh were the most susceptible, according to a research study that examined 23 years of bleaching events on Indian coral reefs since 1998 to assess their impact. Bleaching events refers to stress response in corals where they expel the symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) that live within their tissues, causing the corals to turn white. The research study was published in Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science in February after oceanographers examined major bleaching events in 1998, 2010, and 2016 in the Gulf of Kachchh, the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, the Lakshadweep Islands, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to examine their impact on coral reefs. The research — a collaborative effort between Thangadurai Thinesh, an assistant professor in the department of Marine Science and Fisheries at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, and Kalyan De from the National Institute of Oceanography — examined 23 years of bleaching episodes on Indian coral reefs (including four major reefs and other patch reefs) to understand the geographical footprint of bleaching patterns, species-specific susceptibility, and their overall impact. The study has revealed that among India's major coral reefs, those located at the Lakshadweep Islands displayed the most resilience to heating episodes, described in terms of degree heating weeks (DHWs), while those in the Gulf of Kachchh were the most susceptible. Lakshadweep 'displayed a perfect negative correlation' with heating episodes, while the Gulf of Kachchh had the strongest positive correlation, meaning that bleaching was strongly tied to DHWs. The reason, according to the scientists, was the abundance of genera of massive corals known as Porites, that have been 'found to exhibit higher resistance and recovery potential following thermal stress.' 'In contrast, reefs in the Gulf of Mannar and the Andaman Islands—dominated by more sensitive branching genera like Acropora, Montipora, and Pocillopora—experienced higher bleaching rates and lower recovery,' Thangadurai, lead author of the paper, said. 'However, this resilience has limits. When heat stress becomes more intense and prolonged, differences in susceptibility begin to disappear, and even the more resilient corals can bleach and die,' he added. The Gulf of Mannar had the highest bleaching in 1998, followed by 2016, and the lowest in 2010. The Andaman Islands peaked in 2010, followed by 1998, and had no bleaching percentage reported in 2016 despite DHWs of 7.21–9.5. Lakshadweep recorded the highest bleaching in 1998, followed by 2010, and the lowest in 2016. The Gulf of Kachchh peaked in 2010, followed by 1998 and then 2016. The correlation between DHWs and coral bleaching percentages varied across reef sites. Apart from the four major coral reef regions, India has a few patch reefs --- three patch reefs at Palk Bay, the Malvan Marine Sanctuary (Maharashtra), and the St. George Islands (Grande and Pequeno) in Goa, as well as a few patches at various locations such as Ratnagiri, Redi (Maharashtra), Netrani (Karnataka), Quilon on the Kerala coast to Enayem in Tamil Nadu, Parangipettai (Porto Novo), south of Cuddalore, and Pondicherry. India's estimated coral reef area is around 2,383.87 km². These coral reefs harbour 585 species belonging to 108 genera and 23 families. All three major bleaching events (1998, 2010, and 2016) affected all four major reefs, causing mortality. The researchers believe that 'India urgently needs a coordinated national monitoring program to make informed conservation decisions, prioritising consistency and long-term observation,' for which an understanding of which coral species can withstand rising temperatures is crucial. 'Coral transplantation is a valuable conservation effort already underway at several sites in India, demonstrating a proactive approach to reef restoration. These initiatives show promise in helping damaged ecosystems recover. However, without a clear understanding of which coral species can withstand rising temperatures, there's a risk that some of these efforts may fall short. Transplanting heat-sensitive corals into areas prone to thermal stress could lead to poor survival rates. To make restoration more effective, it's essential first to identify thermally resilient species and match them to suitable environments,' Thangadurai said. The researchers, however, cautioned that 'one-time surveys often misrepresent bleaching impacts, overestimating stress in resilient species and missing early mortality in sensitive ones,' and called for 'repeated, standardised surveys' to 'accurately capture which corals are truly vulnerable or resilient over time.' 'These actions will enable more targeted, effective conservation. And this work isn't just about saving corals—it's about protecting the livelihoods, food security, and coastal defences that millions of people rely on,' he added.
NDTV
40 minutes ago
- NDTV
What Veteran Astronaut Said About Subhanshu Shukla Ahead Of Axiom Mission
Quick Read Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. India's Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will launch into space aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon, marking India's entry into commercial human spaceflight. Axiom Space's mission includes significant research and showcases India's growing role in space exploration. New Delhi: As India prepares to send Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla into space aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon, a new chapter in the country's space journey is being written, not by ISRO alone, but in collaboration with Axiom Space, a Houston-based private space company. This mission, part of Axiom's fourth private astronaut flight to the International Space Station (ISS), marks India's first foray into commercial human spaceflight. At the heart of this mission is not only a young Indian pilot but also a seasoned astronaut guiding him named Michael Lopez-Alegria. Lopez-Alegria, a veteran of four spaceflights and over 250 days in space, now serves as the chief astronaut at Axiom Space. In an exclusive conversation with NDTV, he shared insights into his own journey, the rigorous training of the Indian crew, and what this mission means for India and the future of space exploration. "I was a NASA astronaut for 20 years," Lopez-Alegria began, recounting his storied career. "I flew on three Space Shuttle missions -Columbia, Discovery, and Endeavour - and then spent seven months on the ISS during Expedition 14, which I commanded." Since transitioning to Axiom, he has led two private missions to the ISS, including the historic AX-1 in 2022, the first all-private astronaut mission. Despite the risks inherent in space travel, Lopez-Alegria emphasised the meticulous preparation that goes into every mission. "Sure, it's risky," he acknowledged. "But we study the risks hard. We know what to expect. We're very well trained. So I don't consider it an undue risk." That training has now extended to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and his backup, Group Captain Prashant Balakrishnan Nair. Known affectionately through their call signs as "Shux" and "Papa," the two Indian Air Force test pilots have undergone nearly a year of intensive preparation. "Training usually takes about 10 months," Lopez-Alegria explained. "About 40 perc ent of that is with NASA, learning how to live and work on the ISS. Another 40 per cent is with SpaceX, focused on the Crew Dragon. The rest includes payload training, centrifuge, and zero-gravity simulations." He praised the Indian crew's performance, noting their professionalism and camaraderie. "They're both very gifted-not just technically, but interpersonally. That's crucial in space. You have to get along with people in close quarters for extended periods." Lopez-Alegria also highlighted the unique background the Indian astronauts bring to the mission. "Their experience at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Russia was a big plus. Not many private astronauts come to us with that kind of foundation." As the mission pilot, Mr Shukla will play a critical role during launch, docking, undocking, and re-entry. "The commander and pilot act as a two-person cockpit team," Lopez-Alegria said. "Everything is done with concurrence. It's like a modern airliner-automated, yes, but the crew must be ready to take over if needed." The Crew Dragon, he added, is a far cry from the spacecraft of the past. "It's like a Tesla - very clean, very modern, with a touchscreen interface. Compared to the space shuttle, which had a thousand switches, it's a joy to train and fly in." But the mission is not just about flying. It's also about science. AX-4 will carry more than 60 research activities representing 31 countries, making it Axiom's most ambitious mission yet. "Not all of them are conducted in space - some are pre- and post-mission-but it's a ton of research for a two-week flight," Lopez-Alegria said. Among those experiments are several from Indian institutions, covering areas like agriculture, food science, and human biology. "It's a wonderful opportunity," he said. "You don't want to waste it. But I also tell the crew-try to enjoy the experience." That balance between work and wonder is something Lopez-Alegroa knows well. "We wake up at 6 am Universal Time, start work at 7:30, and go until about the same time at night. It's an 11-hour workday. But in the early mornings and evenings, there's time to look out the window. And nobody goes to bed on time-there's just too much beauty to see." He recalled his own view of India from space. "It's beautiful. Sometimes hard to see because of cloud cover or haze, but when you do, it's stunning - especially the Himalayas." Lopez-Alegria also addressed the cost of such missions. India's seat on AX-4 reportedly cost between $60 and $70 million. "The lion's share of that is the launch cost," he explained. "We'd love to make it cheaper, and I think over time, prices will come down. But for now, it's expensive." Still, he believes the investment is worth it. "Having an astronaut represent the nation is a great asset. It inspires youth, encourages technical education, and builds the workforce. It's a win for India." Looking ahead, Lopez-Alegria sees great potential for collaboration between Axiom and ISRO. "I'd love to see Gaganyaan dock with the Axiom space station someday. There's no reason it couldn't. India is an emerging space power, and we'd be foolish to ignore that." Axiom's own space station is already in development. The first module is set to launch in 2027 and will initially dock with the ISS before becoming an independent platform. "We'll have a full autonomous capability to house a crew and conduct experiments," he said. "Certainly before the end of the decade." He also expressed admiration for India's broader space roadmap. "I've been hearing a lot about it, and I'm very impressed. It's well thought out and has strong government support. First Gaganyaan, then a space station, then the Moon - why not?" As for Mr Shukla, Lopez-Alegria had nothing but praise. "He's done extremely well in training. I have zero doubt he'll excel in orbit. Indians can be very, very proud." With the countdown underway, the excitement is palpable. For India, this mission is more than a milestone - it's a message. A message that the country is ready to take its place among the stars, not just as a participant, but as a leader in the new era of space exploration. And for Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, it's the beginning of a journey that will inspire generations to come.
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Swarm of earthquakes hit Karachi: Is the great Himalayan earthquake coming?
In the last few days, Pakistan experienced a series of earthquakes especially in the areas near Karachi. The multiple tremors created panic among the locals and simultaneously raised questions about the high frequency of these than 20 smaller earthquakes, which have magnitudes of around 3 on the Richter scale, are not a matter of worry, but the question is whether these are warnings for a bigger earthquake in the is not just about Pakistan; geologically, even the adjacent Indian states are similar. Hence, another question that hits the mind is whether earthquakes near Karachi are a matter of worry for our did these quakes occur in Karachi? A series of low-intensity earthquakes, primarily in Karachi, Sindh, highlights the region's seismic vulnerability due to its location near the boundary of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. Collisions of two tectonic plates drive frequent earthquakes in the region. (Photo: AFP) Karachi, one of the largest cities of Pakistan, was struck by almost two dozen earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from 2.5 to 3.6 between June 1 and June to seismological experts, quakes were driven by natural tectonic activity along the Indian-Eurasian plate boundary, specifically associated with the Landhi Fault Line in location at the convergence of these plates makes it prone to frequent seismic events, with Karachi typically experiencing lower-intensity quakes compared to the north of Pakistan. These "swarm earthquakes" indicate a seismic risk near Karachi, despite being seismologically less active than northern Landhi Fault Line's activity suggests local fault dynamics, potentially triggered by stress redistribution in the region's tectonic back-to-back earthquakes normal?Pakistan and the Indian part near the Himalayas are tectonically active and prone to seismic activity. Pakistan lies at the convergence of the Indian and Eurasian plates, with Sindh, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir on the Indian Plate, and Baluchistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan on the Eurasian of these two plates drive frequent earthquakes in the region, particularly at the fault lines of plates like the Landhi fault near Karachi. Geologists consider that these earthquakes can be viewed from two different points of Shahsank Shekhar, Professor of Geology at Delhi University, explains the phenomenon, "Normally, when multiple earthquakes of relatively lower frequencies come to an area, then two kinds of interpretation can be drawn. The first, small earthquakes are a good sign as the stress is being released slowly. But another interpretation says that there is a stored stress between the fault lines, and a bigger earthquake can result if that stress energy comes out in one go." Quakes were driven by natural tectonic activity along the Indian-Eurasian plate boundary. (Photo: Getty) What could be the possible reasons for swarm earthquakes?There are a variety of reasons for multiple earthquakes in any particular area. In addition to tectonic plate movements, fault networks and stress transfer, and aftershocks after a major earthquake, there could be other reasons as reasons include Fluid movement, like Magma or groundwater flowing through the Earth's crust. Regions near active volcanoes may experience earthquake swarms due to magma movement or volcanic unrest. For example, swarms often precede or accompany eruptions in places like Iceland or Hawaii. Some regions, like the Mediterranean or the Ring of Fire, are seismically active due to their location near multiple plate boundaries or fault between these faults can lead to clusters of earthquakes.
