A STUDY ON RECENT EARTHQUAKES IN AND AROUND BANGLADESH

Abstract

Bangladesh is a South Asian country with a dense population situated in a very vulnerable position of earthquake faults where sudden earthquakes can cause a great loss of lives and properties. This paper deals with the magnitude and focal depth of earthquakes that have been felt from 2015 to 2019 having Richter magnitude more than 3. Maximum earthquakes with a magnitude of 3.0 to 4.9 have occurred at the northern side of Bangladesh whereas at the eastern side the values are between 4.0 to 5.9. It was seen that considerable earthquakes occurred in 2019 at the northern side of Bangladesh that indicates a major earthquake may happen in this area from the stored energy and can cause a devastating effect. It has been observed that Earthquake with more than 3 Richter magnitudes has happened in all five years in February, April, August, and September where January and December have comparatively fewer earthquake records. Focal depths have been found to be higher in 2016 related to other years. A correlation equation has been developed between magnitude and focal depth.