Tsunami Zones in India

Insights from the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS)

India's extensive coastline, stretching across multiple states and Union Territories, is vulnerable to tsunamis due to its proximity to two significant tectonic subduction zones.

These zones are geologically active and capable of generating powerful undersea earthquakes, which in turn can trigger tsunamis affecting the Indian coastline.

1. Andaman-Nicobar–Sumatra Island Arc

1. This zone forms a 5,000-kilometre-long tectonic boundary extending from Myanmar in the north to the Indonesian archipelago in the south.
2. It is one of the most prominent subduction zones in the region, where the Indian Plate is being pushed beneath the Eurasian Plate.
3. The tectonic activity in this region has historically triggered devastating tsunamis, including the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, making it a critical area for seismic monitoring.

2. Makran Subduction Zone

1. Located in the northwestern Indian Ocean, this zone lies off the coasts of southeastern Iran and southwestern Pakistan.
2. Here, the Arabian Sea Plate is subducting beneath the Eurasian Plate, forming another high-risk seismic area.
3. Though less active than the Andaman-Nicobar arc, the Makran Subduction Zone remains a potential source of tsunamis, particularly for India's western coastal regions.

 

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