A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck the Uttarkashi and Garhwal regions of India in October 1991, killing at least 768 people and destroying thousands of homes.
Key Facts
- Date
- 20 October 1991
- Moment Magnitude
- 6.8 Mw
- Max Mercalli Intensity
- IX (Violent)
- Death Toll
- At least 768 people
- Fault System
- Main Central Thrust
- Local Time of Strike
- 02:53:16 IST
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The earthquake was caused by thrust faulting along the Main Central Thrust, a major geological fault system running through the Himalayan region. The tectonic setting results from the ongoing collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates, making the Uttarkashi and Garhwal areas of the Indian Himalayas highly susceptible to significant seismic activity.
On 20 October 1991 at 02:53:16 IST, a moment magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck the Uttarkashi and Garhwal regions of Uttarakhand (then part of Uttar Pradesh). The event reached a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent) and was instrumentally recorded, producing high-intensity ground shaking across a broad mountainous area.
The earthquake killed at least 768 people and caused the destruction of thousands of homes across the affected regions. The disaster struck in the early morning hours when residents were asleep, compounding the human toll. The event highlighted the severe seismic hazard faced by Himalayan communities and prompted renewed attention to disaster preparedness in the region.
Human Cost
Each dot represents approximately 10,000 deaths. Total estimated: 768 (earthquake)