The Himalayan region is considered overly sensitive to earthquakes and Earthquake Observatory by Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology set up at Ghuttu in Tehri district to keep an eye on the subtle movements of the earth is providing important information on the subtle movements of the earth in Himalayan region. The scientists are working on various parameters by collecting the data about the physical changes in earth during earthquake in Uttarakhand through this observatory. The research scientists have reached the conclusion of a change in the radon gas emission before the earthquake.

Earthquake is a natural calamity which, if reported on time, can reduce the loss of life and property. In 2007, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology established a multidimensional observatory in Ghuttu to collect the earthquake data. This observatory records data on various physical changes in the earth when the earthquake occurs using, eight different kinds of unique parameters out of which two equipment’s to measure Radon have been installed.

The first is in the water and the other deep in the ground.  Apart from this GPS system has also been installed to monitor the level of ground water, to monitor the resistance capacity of the Earth, super-conducting gravimeter, and the GPS to monitor axis longitude.

“Physical changes that happen when earthquakes occur is being researched from the observatory. Research has seen a change in the radon before the earthquake. With the help of these data in future, some new information may be obtained in the field of earthquake forecasting”, disclosed Dr. Sushil Kumar, Group Head Geophysics, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology

All the data from these equipments have been linked to the lab of Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun. Research work is being carried out on the earth's gravity, radon, magnetic field, resistant capacity, physical changes in the flow of water before the earthquake occurs. So far, scientists have monitored the changes in Radon before earthquake.

It is expected that scientists will be able to forecast earthquakes after completing the study here.