§  Nature’s Warning on Sunday Afternoon

§  Magnitude: 5.4 on Richter Scale

§  Time: 12:06 PM IST (Indian Standard Time)

§  Depth: 90 kilometers beneath Earth’s crust

§  Epicenter: 12.49°N Latitude, 93.83°E Longitude, Andaman Sea

§  Epicenter Distance: North of Barren Island

§  Casualties: None reported

§  Damage: No immediate reports of damage

§  Tsunami Warning: Not issued

§  Felt In: Mayabunder, Rangat, North and Middle Andaman

§  Monitoring Agency: National Centre for Seismology (NCS)

A moment of fear swept through the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Sunday, November 9, 2025, when a moderate earthquake jolted the region at 12:06 PM (Indian Standard Time). According to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), the earthquake measured 5.4 on the Richter scale—a significant tremor powerful enough to shake buildings and alert residents across the archipelago. The epicenter was located at a depth of approximately 90 kilometers beneath the Andaman Sea, at coordinates 12.49°N latitude and 93.83°E longitude.

While the initial shaking startled thousands of residents living on the islands, immediate authorities reports confirmed no casualties or significant damage to property. However, the incident served as a stark reminder of the seismic vulnerability of this geographically unique region, positioned at the collision point of two major tectonic plates.

The Earthquake Details: Numbers That Matter

The National Centre for Seismology, India’s primary earthquake monitoring agency, provided precise measurements of the Sunday tremor. The earthquake registered at magnitude 5.4 on the Richter scale, occurring at precisely 12:06:28 IST (Indian Standard Time) on November 9, 2025. This magnitude classification falls into the “moderate earthquake” category—strong enough to be felt widely across the region but not necessarily causing structural damage in well-built structures.

However, an important discrepancy emerged from international seismic monitoring agencies. The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) reported a higher initial magnitude of 6.07 with a significantly shallower depth of only 10 kilometers. This variation in readings highlights how different seismological methods and instruments can produce slightly different measurements of the same seismic event. Meanwhile, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded the earthquake at 5.5 magnitude, positioning it between the NCS and GFZ estimates.

The depth of the earthquake is a critical factor in understanding its potential impact. The NCS’s measurement of 90 kilometers depth significantly reduced the intensity of shaking felt at the surface, which is why no major damage was reported despite the moderate magnitude. Conversely, had the earthquake occurred at shallower depths as recorded by GFZ, the ground shaking intensity could have been considerably more severe, potentially causing structural damage.

Geographic Impact: Where Did Residents Feel the Tremor.?

The tremors from Sunday’s earthquake were distinctly felt across multiple locations within the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. According to reports from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Chief Secretary Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar, the shaking was particularly noticeable in Mayabunder and Rangat, two regions located in North and Middle Andaman. The Chief Secretary confirmed that authorities immediately activated standard safety protocols and alerted all relevant agencies to monitor the situation.

No specific reports of structural damage emerged from Port Blair, the capital of the union territory, or from outlying islands. The relatively modest casualty-free outcome can be attributed to several factors: the significant depth of the earthquake, the relatively moderate magnitude and the archipelago’s modern building codes designed to withstand seismic activity.

An important location reference in earthquake reports is Barren Island, situated 140 kilometers from Port Blair by sea. This uninhabited island is notable for being India’s only active volcano and is located at the junction of the Indian and Burmese tectonic plates—the very plates responsible for seismic activity in the region.

Why Did Nobody Issue a Tsunami Warning.? The Science Behind It

·       One of the most important questions residents asked following the earthquake was: Why didn’t authorities issue a tsunami warning? The answer lies in the depth and magnitude of the earthquake combined with the characteristics of submarine earthquakes.

·       The National Centre for Seismology (NCS), which monitors seismic activity across Indian territory, determined that the Sunday earthquake did not pose a significant tsunami risk. Malaysia’s meteorological department, Jabatan Meteorologi Malaysia, independently confirmed this assessment, stating that the earthquake posed no tsunami threat to Malaysian coastline despite Malaysia’s proximity to the epicenter.

·       Tsunami generation typically requires specific earthquake conditions: magnitude generally above 6.0-7.0 on the Richter scale, shallow depth (typically less than 30 kilometers) and rupture characteristics that can dramatically displace the seafloor. While initial German measurements suggested a magnitude of 6.07, the depth of 10 kilometers reported by GFZ would theoretically be more concerning for tsunami generation than the NCS’s 90-kilometer depth estimate. However, the difference in reported measurements and the relatively modest amplitude of the earthquake according to NCS (5.4 magnitude at 90 km depth) meant that standard tsunami protocols were not activated.

Context: When Did This Happen Before.? A Pattern of Seismic Activity

This November 9, 2025 earthquake is not an isolated event in Andaman’s seismic history. The region experiences frequent seismic activity—on average, approximately 4 earthquakes per month or one every 6 days. Earlier in 2025, on July 29, 2025, a more powerful earthquake of 6.3 magnitude struck the Andaman and Nicobar Islands at approximately 12:11 AM IST. That July event received more attention due to its significantly higher magnitude, though similarly, no tsunami warning was issued because of the specific depth and location characteristics.

Historical earthquake archives show that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have experienced earthquakes ranging from magnitude 4.0 to 6.0+ over the past decade. The strongest recorded earthquake in the past 10 years near Andaman and Nicobar occurred on July 17, 2020, measuring 6.1 magnitude and located 239 kilometers east of Port Blair at a depth of 10 kilometers.

Over a 10-year period (2015-2025), a total of 525 earthquakes with magnitude 4.0 or above have been recorded within 300 kilometers of Andaman and Nicobar. This staggering number breaks down as: 464 earthquakes at magnitude 4.0 (88.38%), 60 earthquakes at magnitude 5.0 (11.43%) and just 1 earthquake at magnitude 6.0 (0.19%). Notably, no earthquakes of magnitude 7 or above have occurred in this region during the past decade.

Understanding the Danger: Why Andaman and Nicobar Is Earthquake-Prone

The simple answer to why Andaman and Nicobar experiences such frequent earthquakes lies in its unique geological position: the region sits at the boundary where two of Earth’s major tectonic plates meet and interact.

Specifically, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are located at the junction of the Indian Plate and the Burmese Plate (also called the Myanmar Plate). These massive pieces of Earth’s crust are in constant, slow motion—the Indian Plate is moving northeast at a rate of approximately 6 centimeters per year, while the Burmese Plate is moving southeast. Where these plates meet, one plate is forced beneath the other in a process called subduction, creating immense stress that periodically releases as earthquakes.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are classified within Seismic Zone V—India’s highest earthquake hazard classification. According to the Indian government’s seismic zonation map, Zone V represents areas with the greatest earthquake risk, where damage-causing earthquakes occur frequently and can reach high magnitudes. This classification reflects the region’s position on the Alpine-Himalayan seismic belt, which extends from the Mediterranean through Asia and is one of the most seismically active belts in the world.

The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, which devastated coastal regions across Asia and killed approximately 230,000 people, originated from the same tectonic system near Andaman and Nicobar. The megathrust earthquake that day measured 9.1-9.3 magnitude and demonstrated the catastrophic potential of earthquakes in this region.

Safety Measures and Government Response

Following Sunday’s earthquake, authorities on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands implemented standard safety protocols. Chief Secretary Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar announced that all agencies concerned were alerted and that standard protocols were being followed to monitor further seismic activity.

One significant precautionary measure was issued to the island’s tourism and fishing industries: tourists and fishermen were advised not to venture into the sea as a temporary safety measure. This advisory, while not indicating an immediate tsunami threat, exemplifies the precautionary principle—erring on the side of caution when dealing with natural disaster risks.

Several specialized teams in the region are actively monitoring seismic activity and authorities have established systems to provide rapid alerts to the public should circumstances change. The District Emergency Operations Centre (DEOC) in Port Blair serves as the coordination hub for emergency response and disaster management.

Impact Analysis: What This Means for Residents and Visitors

For the approximately 400,000 residents of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Sunday’s earthquake represented a routine reminder of their living environment’s seismic nature. While the 5.4 magnitude earthquake startled many, it caused no significant alarm due to the region’s residents’ familiarity with seismic activity.

For the tourism industry—a significant economic pillar for the islands—the event had minimal impact. No damage to tourism infrastructure was reported, and the temporary advisory to fishermen and tourists to avoid the sea was a precautionary measure lasting only hours. Tourism typically resumes normally following moderate-magnitude earthquakes in the region.

For construction and infrastructure planning, events like Sunday’s earthquake reinforce the importance of earthquake-resistant building codes in the region. Buildings designed to withstand seismic activity remained intact, demonstrating the effectiveness of modern engineering standards implemented in Seismic Zone V regions.

International Coordination and Monitoring

The international seismological community quickly mobilized its monitoring capabilities following the Sunday earthquake. Beyond India’s National Centre for Seismology, multiple international agencies—including Germany’s GFZ (German Research Centre for Geosciences), the USGS (United States Geological Survey) and Malaysia’s meteorological department—independently recorded and analyzed the event.

This international coordination serves multiple purposes. First, it provides cross-verification of earthquake parameters, ensuring accuracy in magnitude and depth measurements. Second, it enables rapid international communication regarding potential hazards, such as tsunami risks affecting multiple countries. Third, it contributes to a global understanding of seismic patterns and plate boundary behavior.

What Residents Should Know: Earthquake Safety and Preparedness

For those living in or visiting the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, understanding basic earthquake safety is essential. Key points include:

·       During an earthquake: Drop, cover and hold on—drop to hands and knees, take cover under a sturdy desk or table and hold on until shaking stops.

·       After an earthquake: Inspect your surroundings for hazards such as broken glass or structural damage. Check on family members and neighbors. Listen to official communications from local authorities.

·       Tsunami awareness: If an earthquake occurs while you are near the coast, move to higher ground immediately if an official tsunami warning is issued. Do not rely on natural warnings alone; wait for official alerts from the National Centre for Seismology.

·       Preparedness: Maintain an emergency kit containing water, food, first aid supplies, flashlights and important documents. Know multiple evacuation routes from your location.​

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The Bigger Picture: Climate Change and Earthquake Science

Some residents have raised questions about potential connections between climate change and earthquake frequency. While climate change can affect Earth’s surface through melting ice and changing water levels, the deeper geological processes that cause earthquakes—tectonic plate motion—operate independently of climate patterns. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ frequent earthquakes are driven entirely by plate tectonics, not climate factors.

However, climate change does pose separate hazards for the Andaman region, including rising sea levels and increased severe weather events. These concerns are addressed through distinct adaptation strategies and coastal management policies.

Looking Ahead: Monitoring and Future Preparedness

The National Centre for Seismology continues to monitor seismic activity in the Andaman and Nicobar region through its network of seismometers and digital recording stations. Advanced warning systems, while unable to predict earthquakes before they occur, can provide rapid alerts to the public within seconds of earthquake detection.

Ongoing research by seismologists aims to better understand the complex fault systems in the region and improve hazard assessment models. This scientific work supports improved building codes, better emergency response procedures and more effective public education programs.

Conclusion: Living with Seismic Activity

Sunday’s 5.4 magnitude earthquake in the Andaman Sea served as a reminder that residents and visitors to this beautiful archipelago live in one of the world’s most seismically active regions. While the November 9 event caused no significant harm, it underscores the importance of ongoing preparedness, modern building standards and effective communication systems.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands continue to experience earthquakes regularly due to their location at the Indian-Burmese plate boundary. Understanding this geology, respecting nature’s power, and maintaining readiness for natural disaster events are essential components of life in Seismic Zone V.

As authorities continue monitoring the situation and residents return to their normal routines, the incident demonstrates that the sophisticated monitoring systems and safety protocols in place are working effectively to protect the island community.

Call to Action (CTA)

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