Tectonic Tension Triggered: Experts Warn of Bigger Quakes

Following Friday’s powerful earthquake, seismic experts have explained why the tremor was so strong and jarring.

Earthquake specialist Professor Humayun Akhtar said the eastern part of Bangladesh lies on the Burma Plate while the western region sits on the Indian Plate. Friday’s quake occurred at the junction of these two plates.
According to him, “This junction had been locked for a long time. Today’s 5.7-magnitude earthquake released that lock. Now that the stuck segment has loosened, a larger earthquake may occur. Today’s quake is a warning.”

Meanwhile, Professor Mehedi Ahmed Ansary of BUET’s Civil Engineering Department noted that Bangladesh has five tectonic plate sources, including fault lines extending from Noakhali to Cox’s Bazar, Noakhali to Sylhet, and Sylhet toward India.
He said the major fault between Noakhali and Sylhet has a smaller segment running through Narsingdi, making it unsurprising that Friday’s quake originated there.

He warned that if a major quake strikes, about six lakh buildings in Dhaka above six stories will be at highest risk. Major earthquakes tend to recur every 150 years, he added, and the region is already due for a 7.0-magnitude event. Hence, heightened caution is essential.

Professor Dr. Anwar Hossain Bhuiyan of Dhaka University’s Geology Department said Bangladesh’s geological position makes earthquakes inevitable because it lies near the meeting point of the Indian, Burmese, and Eurasian tectonic plates.
He explained that Bangladesh’s landmass is composed largely of soft sediment, which amplifies low-frequency, high-amplitude quakes — making damage more severe.
When the ground’s natural frequency aligns with a building’s resonance, it becomes even more dangerous.

Rubaiyat Kabir, Acting Officer at the Bangladesh Meteorological Department’s Earthquake Monitoring Centre, said:

• “This is the strongest earthquake felt in Dhaka and surrounding areas in recent decades.”

• “A larger earthquake could occur at any time, though we cannot predict exactly when.”

In such situations, experts recommended following three life-saving principles: Drop, Cover and Hold On — take cover immediately, shield yourself under sturdy furniture, and maintain a safe position until shaking stops.

Safety Guidelines

If indoors:

• Take shelter under a desk or table.

• Cover your head and neck with your hands.

• Stay away from windows, glass, heavy furniture, and kitchens.

If outdoors:

• Move to an open area immediately.

• Stay away from buildings, trees, chimneys, electric poles, and tall structures.

If in a vehicle:

• Stop in a safe location.

• Avoid bridges, overpasses, trees, and power lines.

• Stay inside the vehicle until the shaking stops.

In hilly or coastal areas:

• Beware of landslides and falling debris in hills.

• Near the sea, follow tsunami advisories promptly.

DBTech/RB/Muim/OR