A strong 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck northern Tibet on Thursday night, sending tremors across the region and prompting authorities to monitor the situation closely.
According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), the earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres, increasing the likelihood of significant ground shaking.
The China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC) reported that the quake struck at approximately 10:33 pm local time in Nagqu prefecture of northern Tibet. Residents in surrounding areas reportedly felt strong tremors as the earthquake rattled homes and buildings.
Authorities identified the epicentre about 400 kilometres from Lhasa, the regional capital of Tibet. While the earthquake was widely felt, there were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage at the time of reporting.
The seismic event comes just months after catastrophic flooding devastated sections of the Nepal-China border region. The floods, which affected the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river systems, caused widespread destruction and significant loss of life, highlighting the vulnerability of the Himalayan region to natural disasters.
Emergency agencies are expected to continue monitoring the situation as assessments of affected areas get underway. Tibet lies in a highly active seismic zone where tectonic movements frequently trigger earthquakes of varying intensity.
While officials have yet to release comprehensive impact assessments, the latest quake has once again underscored the region’s exposure to geological hazards.
