Background The Indian subcontinent has a history of devastating earthquakes. The major reason for the high frequency and intensity of the earthquakes is that the Indian plate is driving into Asia at a rate of approximately 47 mm/year. Geographical statistics of India show that almost 54% of the land is vulnerable to earthquakes. On December 26, 2004, the third deadliest earthquake in the history of the world occurred off the west coast of northern Sumatra. The earthquake had a magnitude of 9.1. The tsunami that was generated killed 15,000 people in India. Because of the frequency and intensity of earthquakes there, India takes earthquakes very seriously. The Institute of Seismological Research (ISR) -- under the Science and Technology Department, Government of Gujarat -- formed

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