Delhi felt tremors late on Tuesday night. The shaking came from a 4.9-magnitude earthquake in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district.

The quake struck at around 10:15 to 10:24 pm. Its epicentre was in Chamoli, about 13 km below the ground.

Why was it felt in Delhi, hundreds of kilometres away? The answer lies in the capital's location and geology.

Delhi falls in seismic zone IV. That is a high-damage risk zone.

The city's tall buildings also play a part. High-rises can sway during distant quakes. People on upper floors felt it most.

Tremors were also felt in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab.

No damage or injuries were reported anywhere.

The Himalayan region is highly earthquake-prone. Small quakes there are common. They often act as reminders for preparedness.

Experts advise people to stay calm during shaking and move away from heavy objects.

The National Centre for Seismology monitors such events round the clock.

The quake's depth of 13 km made it a shallow event. Shallow quakes are often felt more strongly at the surface.

Past quakes in the region have also been felt in the capital. Delhi's buildings are designed with seismic safety norms in mind.