Earthquakes in Manipur, India

State - Manipur, India
Capital - Imphal
Population - 2,388,634 (2001)

Population per district (Top 5)
Imphal West - pop. 444,382
Imphal East - pop. 394,876
Thoubal - pop. 364,140
Churachandpur - pop. 227,905
Senapati - pop. 156,513

Earthquake History
Earthquakes of low to moderate intensity are recorded here regularly. The state of Manipur, has weathered dozens of large earthquakes the biggest in recent times being the 1988 M7.2 earthquake. Most earthquakes in western Manipur are shallow. But some, especially those recorded in the eastern parts and along and across the Myanmar border have greater depths. Areas in central Manipur are especially vulnerable to damage during earthquakes as they lie in the Imphal Valley, the lowest point of which lies the Logtak Lake. Much of the valley floor provides for strong shaking from even far off quakes as its soft soil amplifies the wave motions.

Seismic Hazard

All districts of the state of Manipur lie in Zone V. Since the earthquake database in India is still incomplete, especially with regards to earthquakes prior to the historical period (before 1800 A.D.), these zones offer a rough guide of the earthquake hazard in any particular region and need to be regularly updated (See also: GSHAP Hazard Map for Manipur).
 

Largest Instrumented Earthquake in Manipur
18 May 1987 - Near Karong, Northern Manipur, Ms 6.2 (PEK)
01:53:51.0 UTC, 25.2287N, 94.2076E, 52.80kms depth

Significant Earthquakes  in Manipur
The following list briefly outlines known earthquakes in this region. General locations are provided for historical events for which "generalized" epicentral co-ordinates are available. Some events which were significant for other reasons are also included. This list will be updated whenever newer information is available. Please note that Magnitude and Intensity are NOT THE SAME. All events are within the state or union territory covered on this page unless stated otherwise.

Acronyms Used:
D=Depth, OT=Origin Time, Mw=Moment Magnitude, Ms=Surface Wave magnitude, Mb=Body Wave Magnitude, ML=Local Magnitude, M?=Magnitude Type unknown

18 August 1926 - East of Palel, Manipur (Indo-Myanmar Border region), 6.0 (TS)
23:58:48 UTC, 24.50N, 94.50E

15 March 1927 - East of Thaungd, Sagaing Division (Indo-Myanmar Border region), 6.5 (TS)
16:50:32 UTC, 24.50N, 95.00E

20 May 1927 - Near Kangpat, Manipur (Indo-Myanmar Border region) , 6.0 (TS)
10:51 UTC, 24.50N, 94.50E

11 July 1930 - North of Imphal, Manipur, 6.0 (TS)
07:06:34 UTC, 25.00N, 93.80E

22 September 1930 - Near Karong, Manipur, 6.0 (TS)
14:19:14 UTC, 25.30N, 93.80E

2 June 1934 - East of Ukhrul, Manipur (Indo-Myanmar Border region), 6.5 (TS)
05:04:27 UTC, 25.10N, 94.70E

23 April 1935 - East of Ukhrul, Manipur (Indo-Myanmar Border region), 6.0 (TS)
16:45:41 UTC, 25.10N, 94.70E

9 September 1937 - East of Ukhrul, Manipur (Indo-Myanmar Border region), 6.0 (TS)
 23:37:27 UTC, 24.90N, 94.70E

6 May 1938 - East of Ukhrul, Manipur (Indo-Myanmar Border region), 6.5 (TS)
03:40:57 UTC, 24.90N, 94.70E

21 March 1937 - SW of Kohima (Manipur-Nagaland Border region), 6.0 (TS)
16:12:02 UTC, 25.50N, 94.00E

27 May 1939 - South of Palel, Manipur, 6.7 (TS)
03:45:37 UTC, 24.30N, 94.10E

11 May 1940 - Near Imphal, Manipur, 6.0 (TS)
21:00:19 UTC, 24.90N, 94.10E

8 March 1947 - East of Imphal (Indo-Myanmar Border region), 6.0 (TS)
14:33:05 UTC, 24.90N, 94.70E

30 April 1952 - SE of Kohima (Manipur-Nagaland Border region), 6.0 (TS)
01:49:?? UTC, 25.500N, 94.500E

7 November 1952 - SW of Kohima (Manipur-Nagaland Border region), 6.0 (TS)
04:33:57 UTC, 25.500N, 94.000E

1 July 1957 - Near Moirang, Southern Manipur, 7.25 (TS)
19:30:22 UTC, 24.400N, 93.800E

30 September 1983 - East of Ukhrul, Manipur (Indo-Myanmar Border region), Mb 6.0 (BKK)
10:39:27.0 UTC, 25.0393N, 94.6695E, 60.3kms depth

5 March 1984 - East of Palel, Manipur (Indo-Myanmar Border region), Mb 6.2 (HFS)
21:26:42.0 UTC, 24.5160N, 94.6204E, 67.50kms depth

6 May 1984 - NE of Aizwal (Manipur-Mizoram Border region), Mb 6.0 (HFS)
15:19:11.0 UTC, 24.2152N, 93.5256E, 31.60kms depth

18 May 1987 - Near Karong, Northern Manipur, Ms 6.2 (PEK)
01:53:51.0 UTC, 25.2287N, 94.2076E, 52.80kms depth

6 August 1988 - East of Imphal (Indo-Myanmar Border region), Mw 7.2 (HRV)
00:36:24.6 UTC, 25.149N, 95.127E, 91 kms depth
Three people were killed in this earthquake. Tremors were felt over much of eastern and north-eastern India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Eastern Nepal and Myanmar. Felt as far as Kolkata and Patna. Some damage was also reported from Homalin in northern Myanmar.

15 April 1992 - NW of Mawalik, Chin Division (Indo-Myanmar Border region), Mb 6.3 (HFS)
01:32:11.0 UTC, 24.2680N, 94.9275E, 130.90kms depth

18 September 2005 - Myanmar-Manipur border, Mw 5.7
24.653 N, 94.807 E, D=82 kms, OT=07:26:00 UTC
A moderate earthquake struck the Myanmar-Manipur border, on 18 September 2005 at 12:56 IST causing isolated minor damage to property in some parts of Manipur. The earthquake had a magnitude of Mb=5.7 and was felt at many places north-east India and Bangladesh as well as in tall buildings in northern Thailand.

4 September 2009 - Myanmar-Manipur border, Mw 5.9
24.381 N, 94.712 E, D=97.6 kms, OT=19:51:03 UTC
A moderate earthquake struck the Myanmar-Manipur border, on 4 September 2009 at 01:21 IST. It was felt widely in north-east India and in Bangladesh.