After the devastating earthquake of 1869, Barak Valley was hit by another tremor of serious dimension in 1984. The studies then carried out by experts from the Regional Research Laboratory (RRL), Jorhat, and the National Geographical Research Institute, Hyderabad, revealed that this valley and the entire North-east region is active seismologically. Interestingly, the Trans-Atlantic belt and the Circum-Pacific belt that form part of the two great earthquake zones or seismic belts in the world unite at the corner of Asom and Myanmar, which is the most unstable seismic region. The studies have also brought out the fact that a seismic belt termed as "Haflong Thrust' runs through the Borail and North Cachar Hills, an extended part of the Himalayas, the most disturbed zone from the geological point of view. Haflong Thrust forms part of the ONGC's landset image aerial survey. And as Barak Valley is in the Arakan basin, tectonic movement results in folding and faulting of the zone and is quite naturally susceptible to tremors. It is quite significant that Assam University has signed an MoU with the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism, Mumbai, to set up geomagnetic centre in the campus. Prof Ashok Sen, coordinator of the project, said that this geomagnetic centre with the latest technology and gadgets would be able to predict an impending earthquake well in advance. This would help the civil aviation, satellite telemetry, space science and defence establishments as well. The MoU was signed by Assam University vice-chancellor Dr Tapodhir Bhattacharjee and IIT-Guwahati director Dr Archana Chakravorty. The experts carried out a series of experiments and survey work in the nearby areas and found logistic and material support to open the geomagnetic centre. The establishment of the centre, the work on which is to begin soon, is expected to avert much of the loss of life and property in the wake of any natural calamity. An amount of Rs 1 crore has already been sanctioned for the purpose. This centre is also expected to help the research scholars and students in their academic pursuits. History of earthquakes in Barak Valley Year Date Epicentre Richter Scale 1926 Oct 23 250 N 930 E 5.6 1957 Dec 12 24.50 N 930 E 5.6 1984 Dec 31 Sonaimukh 6 1996 Nov 19 42.60 N 92.60 E 4.8 1997 May 8 Bangladesh border 5.7 2001 Feb 27 Myanmar border 4.7