6.0 magnitude earthquake rattles Bangladesh

An earthquake, measuring 6.0 magnitude on the Richter scale, has jolted Dhaka and other parts of Bangladesh in the early hours of Wednesday. 

The epicentre of the earthquake was in Dhekiajuli, a town in the Indian state of Assam, some 397 kilometres away from Dhaka. 

Although the earthquake was measured 6.0 on the Richter Scale, its intensity was 3.0 in Dhaka, 4.0 in Sylhet, and 5.0 in various areas of North Bengal. The intensity is determined by considering the damage caused by the quake and the number of casualties.

According to Professor Anwar Hossain Bhuiyan of the Department of Geology of the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh is made up of soft sediments. And once the wave of an earthquake spreads, it can absorb a significant amount of it, making the quake weaker. So, the effects of an earthquake of 6.00 magnitude cannot be felt greatly. 

Professor Bhuiyan also said that earthquakes of such magnitudes are infrequent and incapable of inflicting heavy damages upon the country. 

However, Professor Bhuiyan added, on the occasion of an earthquake of 7.5 magnitudes or more, instead of absorbing the waves, they will be amplified and hit harder. 

"But strong earthquakes will take place 200 – 300 kilometres away from us," he added.

However, according to Professor Syed Humayun Kabir of the same department, earthquakes originating some 400 – 500 kilometres away can also cause severe damage. 

The experts warned that installations that are not built maintaining proper building codes will be in danger in the case of an earthquake of 7.0 magnitude or higher. They also suggested decentralisation of Dhaka city to minimise causality in case of a severe earthquake.