Who amongst the following will be at more risk with respect to the earthake hazard zone specified by the Geological Survey of India ?

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) classify India into four seismic zones (II to V) based on earthquake intensity [5]. Zone V represents the highest risk, while Zone II represents the lowest [3]. Pithoragarh, located in Uttarakhand, falls within the Himalayan region, which is categorized under the highest risk zones (Zone V and IV) due to its proximity to the Himalayan Frontal Thrust and the convergent boundary between the Indian and Eurasian plates [4]. In contrast, Secunderabad (Telangana), Indore (Madhya Pradesh), and Bhubaneswar (Odisha) are situated in the relatively stable Peninsular shield, generally falling into lower risk categories like Zone II or III [2]. Therefore, Malti at Pithoragarh is at the highest risk among the given options [4].

Sources

1. [1] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 14: Earthquakes > 14.8. Earthquake Zones of India > p. 187
2. [5] https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1740656
3. [2] INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Natural Hazards and Disasters > Yokohama Strategy and International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR) Yokohama Strategy and Plan of Action for a Safer World > p. 56
4. [3] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 14: Earthquakes > Kopili Fault Zone > p. 189
5. [4] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 17: Contemporary Issues > Fig. 17.5 National Highways and Landslide Areas > p. 10