The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has confirmed that no natural earthquake was recorded in Wayanad, Kerala, on August 9, 2024. The tremors and rumbling sounds reported by locals are attributed to the shifting of unstable rock masses, a common occurrence in landslide-prone areas. The National Centre for Seismology (NCS) assured residents that there is no need for panic, as these vibrations were not due to seismic activity but rather the frictional energy from rocks stabilizing in the region.
The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has issued a statement clarifying that no natural earthquake was recorded in Wayanad and its adjoining areas in Kerala on August 9, 2024. This confirmation came from the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), which monitors seismic activity across the country.
According to the NCS, the tremors and rumbling sounds reported by local media are likely the result of the movement of unstable rock masses. These rocks, accumulated due to landslides, may have shifted from one level to another, causing subterranean acoustic vibrations. The frictional energy generated during this process can propagate through sub-surface cracks and fractures, leading to the rumbling sounds and ground vibrations that were felt across the region.
The NCS emphasized that these vibrations are a natural phenomenon in landslide-prone areas and are not associated with any seismic activity. Residents are urged not to panic, as no earthquake was recorded by the National Seismological Network on the specified date.
