Indian Ocean Hit by Third Earthquake as Region Sees Rising Seismic Activity
A strong earthquake in the Indian Ocean of magnitude 5.3 struck on Thursday, marking the third tremor in the region within a single day. According to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), the quake occurred at 11:02 am IST at a shallow depth of 10 km, which makes the region more vulnerable to aftershocks.
Moreover, the NCS confirmed the coordinates at Latitude 1.30°N and Longitude 96.87°E, placing the epicentre deep in the Indian Ocean zone where seismic movement has increased recently. Since shallow quakes release stronger waves on the surface, experts warn that even moderate tremors can trigger further instability.
Earlier in the day, two more earthquakes shook the same region. The first, a strong 6.4-magnitude quake, struck at 10:26 am IST, also at a depth of 10 km. Additionally, a 4.8-magnitude quake was recorded at 1:24 am IST, making this the third seismic event in less than twelve hours.
NCS Reports Three Quakes, All at Shallow Depths of 10 km
The National Centre for Seismology posted detailed updates on X (formerly Twitter) on all three seismic events.
For the 5.3-magnitude quake, the NCS wrote:
“EQ of M: 5.3, On: 27/11/2025 11:02:45 IST, Lat: 1.30 N, Long: 96.87 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Indian Ocean.”
Regarding the 6.4-magnitude quake, the agency posted:
“EQ of M: 6.4, On: 27/11/2025 10:26:25 IST, Lat: 2.99 N, Long: 96.23 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Indian Ocean.”
For the earlier 4.8-magnitude event, the update read:
“EQ of M: 4.8, On: 27/11/2025 01:24:24 IST, Lat: 0.76 N, Long: 96.95 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Indian Ocean.”
Since all three earthquakes occurred at the same depth of 10 km, scientists state that the zone is experiencing high tectonic stress. Additionally, shallow quakes transfer stronger energy toward the surface, which can increase the risk of future tremors.
Why Shallow Earthquakes Are More Dangerous
Shallow earthquakes pose a higher threat because seismic waves travel a shorter distance before reaching the surface. Because of this rapid transfer of energy, the ground can shake harder and cause more widespread damage if the epicentre is close to land.
Although the latest quakes took place in the ocean, experts believe continuous activity may disturb nearby fault lines. Moreover, the region has a history of severe seismic events that once produced destructive tsunamis.
Indian Ocean’s History of Devastating Quakes and Tsunamis
The Indian Ocean is known for one of the most catastrophic natural disasters ever recorded. On 26 December 2004, a massive 9.2–9.3 magnitude megathrust earthquake struck off the west coast of Northern Sumatra, Indonesia.
The event, known as the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake, triggered a giant tsunami with waves as high as 30 metres. It swept across countries including Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand, killing over 2.27 lakh people in 14 nations.
Furthermore, the undersea rupture occurred along the fault between the Burma Plate and the Indian Plate, producing intense shaking that reached Mercalli intensity IX in several areas. The disaster disrupted living conditions, destroyed infrastructure, and crippled coastal economies across the region.
The 2004 tsunami remains the deadliest natural disaster of the 21st century and continues to serve as a grim reminder of the need for stronger early-warning systems.
Monitoring Continues as Seismologists Track Activity
The Indian Ocean region will likely remain under close observation in the coming days. Since a cluster of shallow earthquakes may signal plate adjustments, scientists may track patterns to study possible aftershocks.
However, no tsunami alerts have been issued so far. Authorities will continue reviewing seismic data, and updates may follow if further activity occurs.