While most earthquakes occur naturally due to tectonic activity, a growing number are being linked to human activities — especially in rapidly developing nations like India. These human-induced earthquakes arise when industrial actions such as water extraction, energy production, mining, and reservoir construction alter stress levels in the Earth’s crust.

According to a study published in Seismological Research Letters in 2017, over 700 human-induced earthquakes have been documented globally in the past 150 years — a number that’s steadily rising with increased human impact on geological systems.

India’s sharp rise in energy consumption and water usage, driven by rapid urbanization and industrialization, is spotlighting new seismic risks. Activities like groundwater over-extraction, hydroelectric dam operations, and deep-well fluid injections could potentially trigger seismic events, experts warn.

As the nation continues its development journey, scientists emphasize the need for stricter monitoring and mitigation strategies to avoid unintended geological consequences. Balancing economic growth with environmental and seismic safety is becoming a key challenge for India’s infrastructure planning.