From seismicity point of view, the state of Himachal Pradesh which forms a part of NW Himalayas is very sensitive. During the last century the state has been shaken by a number of micro as well as macro earthquakes. A number of damaging earthquakes has struck the state and the adjoining parts of Punjab,U.P. and J& K. Some of the prominent earthquakes that rocked the state are Kangra earthquake 1905(M=8.0) in which 18,815 people were killed, Kinnaur earthquake 1975 (M=6.7) in which 60 people lost their lives and Dharamshala earthquake 1986 (M5.7). Besides these major earthquakes the state has been rocked by about 250 earthquakes with magnitude 4.0 and 62 earthquakes with magnitude more than 5.0 . As per the earthquake hazard map of state , the areas falling in districts Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Kullu, Hamirpur Bilaspur are very sensitive as they fall in Very High Damage Risk Zone (MSK IX or More) i. e. Zone V, where as the rest of the areas falls in High Damage Risk Zone (MSK VIII). Some of the major devastating earthquake that have rocked the state during the last century are as per table below.
Most Severe earthquakes in Himachal Pradesh
| Date | Locations Affected | Magnitude | Damage |
| 4th April 1905 | Kangra | 7.8 | 20,000 people died
53,000 domestic animals perished
1,00,000 houses destroyed
Economic cost of recovery 2.9 million rupees |
| 1st June 1945 | Chamba | 6.5 | NA |
| 19th January, 1975 | Kinnaur | 6.8 | 60 people died
100 badly injured
2000 dwellings devastated
2500 people rendered homeless |
| 26th April 1986 | Dharamshala | 5.5 | 6 people died
Extensive damage to buildings
Loss estimated at 65 crore |
| 1st April 1994 | Chamba | 4.5 | |
| 24th March 1995 | Chamba | 4.9 | Fearsome shaking
More than 70% houses developed cracks |
| 29th July 1997 | Sundernagar | 5 | Damage to about 1000 houses |