1947 Assam earthquake

The 1947 Assam earthquake, also known as the 1947 Shillong earthquake, struck the northeastern region of India on August 15, 1947, at approximately 5:20 PM IST. With a magnitude of 8.6 on the moment magnitude scale, it is one of the most powerful earthquakes recorded in India. The epicenter was located near the town of Shillong in Meghalaya, causing extensive damage across Assam, particularly in the cities of Guwahati and Shillong. The earthquake resulted in significant casualties and widespread destruction of infrastructure, displacing thousands of residents. It also prompted changes in seismic research and awareness in the region, highlighting the vulnerability of the densely populated areas to tectonic activity in the Himalayan belt.