“Why Are Earthquakes Increasing in Bangladesh? A Complete Analysis of Recent Tremors”

Why Are Earthquakes Increasing in Bangladesh? A Complete Analysis of Recent Tremors

Subtitle: Understanding the growing seismic activity in Bangladesh — causes, zones, risks, and what it means for our future.

Introduction: The Rising Rumblings
Bangladesh’s Geological Setting: Where the Plates Collide
Fault Lines & Seismic Zones within Bangladesh
Recent Patterns: Are Quakes Really Increasing?
Local Amplifiers: Why Even Moderate Quakes Hit Hard in Bangladesh
What Experts Are Saying: Risks of a Major Earthquake
Impacts on Society: Urban Vulnerability, Infrastructure, and Preparedness
Why We Perceive Increase: Better Monitoring Vs Real Rise
What This Means for You (and Me): Safety, Planning, and Awareness
Conclusion: Living with the Earth’s Movements — Preparedness Is Key

1. Introduction: The Rising Rumblings

In recent years, people across Bangladesh have felt the earth tremble more frequently — sometimes in the north-eastern hills, sometimes surprisingly close to the capital, even in central regions. For many, this raises a natural question: Are earthquakes increasing in Bangladesh? And if so — why?

According to data from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department’s Earthquake Monitoring Centre, the number of earthquakes felt in the country between January 2024 and September 2025 was 126. Jagonews24 Of those, 18 were recorded as originating within Bangladesh, which suggests that domestic seismic activity is real and not just “imported” from neighboring regions. Jagonews24

Some of these tremors were minor — more like jolts felt by locals — but their increased frequency has alarmed both citizens and experts. Many geologists now warn that this spike may be a precursor to a far more destructive seismic event. Dhaka Tribune+2The Business Standard+2

In this article, I’ll analyze what we know so far — the geological causes, fault-lines, recent trends, risk factors, and what ordinary citizens need to know to stay safe (Poltu’s take included).

2. Bangladesh’s Geological Setting: Where the Plates Collide

To understand why Bangladesh is seeing so many tremors, one must begin deep beneath the Earth’s surface. Bangladesh doesn’t sit on a stable single tectonic plate — instead, it's perched at the junction of multiple active tectonic plates. Dhaka Tribune+2Jagonews24+2

2.1 The Main Plates Around Bangladesh

The Eurasian Plate
The Indo‑Australian Plate
The Burma Microplate

Because these plates meet around Bangladesh — especially toward the northeast and southeast — their interactions create tremendous underground stress. Dhaka Tribune+2Jagonews24+2

2.2 Subduction, Collision, and Locked Zones

In some regions, one plate is slowly sliding beneath another — a process called subduction. In the context of Bangladesh and the surrounding region, geologists refer to areas where plates are “locked” as subduction zones. Over centuries, these zones accumulate enormous stress. When that stress is finally released, the result can be a major earthquake. Dhaka Tribune+2Editorialge+2

A major concern among experts today is that such a release could trigger a devastating earthquake, potentially in the magnitude range of 8.0 or more on the Richter scale. Dhaka Tribune+2The Daily Star+2

3. Fault Lines & Seismic Zones within Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s seismic vulnerability isn’t just about distant plate boundaries — the country itself contains several fault lines and zones that can generate earthquakes. sportshour24.com+2Jugantor+2

Here are some of the major ones:

3.1 Key Faults & Zones

Dauki Fault — along the north-eastern / Sylhet region, often considered among the most dangerous. sportshour24.com+2The Business Standard+2
Madhupur Fault — running through central Bangladesh, historically linked to moderate earthquakes. The Business Standard+2The Daily Star+2
Smaller local/regional faults and “intraplate” faults near urban zones — these are increasingly being recognized due to recent small-to-moderate quakes. Voice 7 News+2The Business Standard+2

3.2 Seismic Zones: Varying Risk by Region

From older geologic studies, Bangladesh has often been divided into zones based on quake-risk. One classification outlines:

Zone–1: Sylhet–Mymensingh region — possible to experience up to magnitude ~7 quakes. ARPN Journals+1
Zone–2: Areas including Chattogram–Comilla–Dhaka–Tangail — mid-level risk. ARPN Journals+2The Daily Star+2
Zone–3: Rest of the country — lower but non-negligible risk. ARPN Journals+1

That said, recent history suggests that central and even “lower-risk” zones are also seeing tremors — indicating that seismic risk is more widespread than older maps might suggest. The Business Standard+2Jagonews24+2

4. Recent Patterns: Are Quakes Really Increasing?

One of the biggest drivers behind the question in the article’s title — “Why are earthquakes increasing?” — is based on data from recent years. Let’s look at that.

According to media reports, in 2017 Bangladesh and its surroundings saw about 28 earthquakes felt. In 2023, that number rose to 41; by 2024 it had reached 54. The Daily Star+1
Between January 2024 and September 2025, a total of 126 earthquakes were felt across the country; 18 of those originated inside Bangladesh. Jagonews24
In just the 12 months leading up to September 2025, the country witnessed 10 earthquakes. Jagonews24

That trend suggests that — yes — earthquake frequency, at least for small-to-moderate tremors, is indeed rising in Bangladesh.

Some possible explanations for this increase will be discussed below. But the trend is clear enough that many experts now warn of the risk of a big quake, possibly overdue. Dhaka Tribune+2The United Nations in Bangladesh+2

5. Local Amplifiers: Why Even Moderate Quakes Hit Hard in Bangladesh

Even when earthquakes are moderate in magnitude, their effects in Bangladesh — especially in densely populated zones with weak buildings — can be disproportionately destructive. Several local factors amplify risk. The Business Standard+2Jagonews24+2

5.1 Soft Delta Soils & Ground Conditions

Much of Bangladesh — including the capital, Dhaka — lies on the sediments of the vast Ganges–Brahmaputra–Meghna Delta. These are young, unconsolidated layers of clay, silt and sand. When seismic waves pass through such soft ground, two dangerous phenomena can occur:

Site amplification: Seismic waves slow down but increase in amplitude in soft soils, making shaking stronger and longer than in areas built on hard rock. The Business Standard+1
Liquefaction: In saturated soils, shaking can cause the ground to momentarily lose its strength and behave like a liquid — putting buildings, roads, embankments at risk of collapse or severe damage. The Business Standard+1

Because of these ground conditions, even a moderate quake can turn into a major disaster for poorly constructed buildings or dense urban settlements.

5.2 Vulnerable Infrastructure and Unregulated Construction

Urban centres — especially Dhaka — are especially vulnerable. Rapid population growth and unplanned construction mean many buildings were erected without proper adherence to building codes (or no codes at all). Dhaka Tribune+2The Business Standard+2

In the event of a moderate-to-strong quake, such buildings risk collapse, causing casualties and widespread destruction. Experts warn that many older buildings in Dhaka and other cities might not survive a strong earthquake. The Business Standard+2sportshour24.com+2

5.3 Critical Infrastructure Susceptibility

It’s not only homes — industrial facilities, pipelines, power plants, and other infrastructure are at risk. According to recent analysis, even moderate earthquakes can disrupt essential services (e.g. power, water, gas) if those installations are not built with seismic resilience. The Business Standard+1

6. What Experts Are Saying: Risks of a Major Earthquake

In light of recent tremors and geological assessments, many experts warn that Bangladesh might be overdue for a major earthquake. Dhaka Tribune+2The United Nations in Bangladesh+2

Seismologists have observed that underground tectonic stress has been accumulating for centuries, especially along the boundary between the Indo-Australian Plate and the Burma Microplate. Dhaka Tribune+1
The region known as the “locked zone” in the northeast and southeast is thought capable of generating earthquakes in the magnitude range of 8.0 or more if stress is released suddenly. Dhaka Tribune+2The Business Standard+2
Historically, Bangladesh and its surrounding regions have experienced powerful quakes — for example, prior to modern times several earthquakes exceeded magnitude 7.0. The United Nations in Bangladesh+2The Daily Star+2

Given the geologic setting, experts say Bangladesh cannot afford complacency. Rather, they urge immediate strengthening of construction codes, public awareness of earthquake safety, and systematic disaster preparedness. Dhaka Tribune+2Jagonews24+2

7. Impacts on Society: Urban Vulnerability, Infrastructure, and Preparedness

As earthquakes — even smaller ones — become more frequent, the potential societal impact grows. Here are some of the major concerns:

High population density + weak housing: Cities like Dhaka, with millions of residents living in poorly built houses or informal settlements, are particularly at risk. Moderate shaking might lead to building collapse, especially in old or unreinforced structures.
Critical services disruption: Damage to infrastructure — roads, bridges, factories, pipelines, power stations — can cripple essential services. The Business Standard+1
Economic losses: Both immediate losses (from structural damage, loss of life) and long-term ones (displacement, rebuilding, lost productivity) could be enormous in a major quake.
Panic and unpreparedness: Many citizens lack basic knowledge of earthquake safety (evacuation, shelter, building safety). Without public education and preparation, even smaller tremors can cause chaos.

Given these factors, experts and policymakers stress that preparedness is not optional — it's vital. Jagonews24+2The Business Standard+2

8. Why We Perceive Increase: Better Monitoring Vs Real Rise

An important nuance: Are more earthquakes actually happening — or are we just detecting more of them now? There are arguments on both sides.

On one hand, seismic monitoring capacity in Bangladesh has improved recently. More sensors, better detection, and improved reporting mean that small tremors which might have gone unnoticed earlier are now being logged and publicized. The Business Standard+2Jagonews24+2
On the other hand, the number of moderate tremors (i.e., ones people feel, not just detected by instruments) appears to have genuinely increased — suggesting that seismic activity is not just better recorded, but actually rising. The Daily Star+2Jagonews24+2

In short: improved monitoring partly explains the surge, but geologic evidence also indicates increased stress build-up — so both factors probably play a role.

9. What This Means for You (and Me): Safety, Planning, and Awareness

If earthquakes are indeed becoming more frequent and Bangladesh remains vulnerable to a major quake, what can ordinary citizens do now to prepare? Here are some actionable steps & recommendations:

Know your area’s risk — If you live near known fault lines or on soft delta soils (like much of Dhaka, central, and northeast zones), stay especially alert.
Advocate for safe construction — Demand buildings (home, office) comply with earthquake-resistant design; avoid poorly built or old, cracked structures.
Disaster preparedness at home — Keep basic emergency kits, know safe evacuation spots, plan for aftershocks.
Support public awareness and policy — Encourage local government to enforce building codes and carry out regular inspections.
Stay informed — Follow updates from credible sources (like the Meteorological Department) rather than rumors.

Given our large population, dense cities, and vulnerable infrastructure — being proactive can literally save lives.

10. Conclusion: Living with the Earth’s Movements — Preparedness Is Key

Bangladesh sits at a volatile geological crossroads. With multiple tectonic plates converging and several active fault lines crisscrossing the country, the conditions for earthquakes have always existed — but recent years show that seismic activity may be ramping up, or at least being felt more strongly.

The growing number of tremors, coupled with weak infrastructure and vulnerable soils, mean that even moderate earthquakes can have serious consequences. Many experts now warn that the country could be overdue for a major quake.

But while the risk is real and serious, it is not a reason to live in perpetual fear. Rather — a reason to prepare. Through better building practices, public awareness, disaster planning, and collective effort, Bangladesh can reduce potential devastation. We can’t stop the earth’s movements — but we can learn to live with them wisely, safely, and resiliently.

As we move forward, awareness and action will be our best protection.

“Why Are Earthquakes Increasing in Bangladesh? A Complete Analysis of Recent Tremors”