Manipal, Jul 3: Residents of Manchikere are still apprehensive over the widening of the 90-metre long fissure in the earth that surfaced in Yembattu Badagabettu gram panchayat in Manipal two months ago.
Most localities in the area are anxious over the possibility of its widening further. Over the last week, the widening of the fissure has caused alarm for the local residents here. While earlier the residents who had noticed the geological fracture did not take it rather seriously, since the depth was not high.
But, with the curiosity and apprehension has increased among the locals with the increase in its width.
While several tried measuring the depth of the crack in the earthen bed, none were able to determine it, leading them to believe that the crack was deeper than it was assumed.
The fissure in the earth was noticed two months ago in the summer. Following few days of heavy rain in the region, the widening of the fissure became apparent, leading to growing anxiety among the people who reside there.
As per geological experts, this unusual phenomenon is a result of micro seismic activity taking place underground since 10-12 years in the region. As the area of Manipal is a weak zone in the earth's crust, the place is susceptible to plate tectonics that occur deep within the earth which caused the deep fissure in the earth, they said.
The actual depth of the fissure is presumed to be over a 100 feet.
Meanwhile, although the geologists point out that there is no imminent danger from the fissure, the locals live in worry of the fissure extending to fracture the foundations of their homes.
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