Tibet Earthquake: How Disturbance Under the Lhasa Block Led to 7.1 Tremors

On January 7, 2025, a powerful earthquake occurred in Tibet near Mount Everest, causing significant destruction and loss of life.

The earthquake, recorded as 6.8 by Chinese authorities and 7.1 by the US Geological Survey, struck at 9:05 a.m. local time and was centered in Tingri County, about 80 kilometers north of the famous mountain.

The earthquake had a shallow depth only 10 kilometers (6.2 mi), contributing to the intensity of the aftershocks that were felt in nearby regions, including Nepal, Bhutan and parts of northern India.

According to state media reports, the seismic event resulted in at least 53 deaths and more than 60 people were injured.

Many buildings were destroyed in the affected areas, especially in the villages around Shigatze, Tibet’s second largest city. Rescue operations are currently underway, with approximately 1,500 emergency workers deployed to search for survivors trapped under the rubble.

WHAT IS HAPPENING UNDER TIBET?

This region is known for its seismic activity due to the ongoing collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates that formed the Himalayas.

Historical evidence suggests that this area survived numerous significant earthquakes over the past century, which makes it one of the most geologically active areas in the world.

The Tingri aftershock was caused by the rupture of the so-called Lhasa block in a zone of compression from north to south and tension from west to east.

The Lhasa block, or Lhasa terrane, is a key geological region of southern Tibet, bounded by the Bangong-Nujiang suture zone in the north and the Indus-Yarlung Zangbo suture zone in the south.

Originating from parts of Australia and East Africa, it joined the Eurasian plate during the Cretaceous period. Located between the Qiantan and Tethyan Himalayan terranes, it experiences tectonic forces as a result of the collision of the Indian-Eurasian plates.

This creates north-south compression, which causes crustal shortening and uplift, and west-east tension, which causes lateral crustal movements. These processes contribute to the formation of the Himalayas and influence regional fault systems and seismic activity.

STRONG COAT

Residents of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, located about 400 kilometers from the epicenter, reported strong aftershocks that forced many to evacuate their homes.

Although there have been no reports of casualties from Nepal, local authorities are mobilizing their actions resources to assess potential harm.

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for every effort to minimize casualties and ensure proper resettlement of those affected by the disaster. As aftershocks continue to roil the region, officials are working diligently to assess the extent of the damage and provide the necessary assistance to affected communities.