DU Geologists Collect Soil to Trace Cause of Narsingdi Quake

A seven-member team from Dhaka University’s Department of Geology has collected soil samples from multiple fissures that opened during Friday’s powerful earthquake in Ghorashal, as part of an effort to better understand the nature and origin of the tremor.

The team visited damaged locations in Ghorashal Municipality, including the Ghorashal Dairy Farm area and Palash Residential Model College, where sections of ground caved in or split during the quake. Former professor of the department, ASM Woobaidullah, said the team began by gathering samples from visible cracks and collapsed soil.

“These samples will now be examined in the laboratory. Through analysis, we will be able to determine the type of earthquake that occurred and the depth at which it originated,” he explained, adding that such investigations are crucial for assessing risk in the surrounding region.

Friday’s earthquake struck at 10:38am with a magnitude of 5.7 on the Richter scale. According to Rubayet Kabir of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department’s Seismic Monitoring unit, the epicentre was located in Madhabdi, Narsingdi—just 13 kilometres from Dhaka—at a depth of 10 kilometres. The tremor, which lasted 26 seconds, was forceful enough to be felt nationwide.

Data from the United States Geological Survey indicated that the hypocentre lay 14 kilometres west-southwest of Narsingdi Sadar.

The quake was the deadliest in Bangladesh in decades, killing 10 people and injuring more than 600. The fatalities included four in Dhaka, five in Narsingdi and one in Narayanganj. Many of the injuries were caused by panic-driven falls from buildings as residents attempted to flee.

In the aftermath, various units of the Narsingdi district administration have begun inspecting affected structures. The municipal authorities have formed an assessment committee to evaluate the condition of public and private buildings.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Abu Taher Md Shamsuzzaman said an official damage estimate is expected within three to four days, after which rehabilitation measures will be prioritised.