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2025 Tibet earthquake

Coordinates: 28°38′20″N 87°21′40″E / 28.639°N 87.361°E / 28.639; 87.361
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2025 Tibet earthquake
Collapsed and damaged homes in Tingri County
2025 Tibet earthquake is located in China
2025 Tibet earthquake
UTC time2025-01-07 01:05:16
ISC event642702627
USGS-ANSSComCat
Local date7 January 2025 (2025-01-07)
Local time09:05 CST (UTC 8)
MagnitudeMw 7.1
Ms 6.8
Depth10.0 km (6.2 mi)
Epicenter28°38′20″N 87°21′40″E / 28.639°N 87.361°E / 28.639; 87.361
TypeNormal
Areas affectedSouthwestern China, Nepal and India
Max. intensityCSIS IX

MMI IX (Violent)
Foreshocksmb 4.1[1]
Aftershocks515 [2]
Strongest: mb 5.1[3]
Casualties126 fatalities, 201 injuries

On 7 January 2025 at 09:05 CST (UTC 8), an earthquake measuring Mww 7.1 struck Tingri County, located in the Shigatse prefecture-level city of the Tibet Autonomous Region of southwestern China.[4] At least 126 people were killed while 188 others were injured in the region. The earthquake also injured 13 people in Nepal and caused minor damage in northern India. Shaking was felt across South Asia. The earthquake was the largest in China since May 2021 and the deadliest since December 2023.[5][6] It was caused by normal faulting and originated within the continental crust at 10 km (6.2 mi) depth.

Tectonic setting

See also: 2008 Damxung earthquake

The Tibetan plateau attains its high elevation due to crustal thickening caused by the collision of the Indian tectonic plate with the Eurasian plate, creating the Himalayas.[7] Faulting within the plateau is associated with strike-slip and normal mechanisms. The plateau extends in an east–west direction along evidenced by north–south striking grabens, strike-slip faulting and GPS data.[8] In the northern region, strike-slip faulting constitutes the dominant style of tectonics while in the south, the dominant tectonic domain is east-west extension on north–south trending normal faults.[9]

The largest earthquakes in Tibet, with magnitudes of 8.0 or similar, occur along strike-slip faults. Normal faulting earthquakes are smaller in magnitudes; in 2008, five normal faulting earthquakes with magnitudes of 5.9 to 7.1 occurred in various locations across the plateau. These earthquakes occurred on faults with dip angles of 40 to 50 degrees and extended to a depth of 10 to 15 km (6.2 to 9.3 mi).[8]

A 2010 study in Geophysical Journal International observed within the past 43 years, 85 percent of seismic moment released during normal faulting occurred in areas of more than 5 km (3.1 mi) elevation. This may suggest normal faulting earthquakes are dependent on gravitational potential energy to trigger these ruptures.[8]

Earthquake

USGS ShakeMap illustrating ground motion around the epicenter

The United States Geological Survey said that the earthquake measured a moment magnitude (Mww ) of 7.1, while the China Earthquake Networks Center reported its magnitude at Ms 6.8. The shock occurred at 10 km (6.2 mi) depth, indicating it occurred within the continental crust that forms the Tibetan Plateau.[10] It was caused by normal faulting with a minor strike-slip component.[11] Focal mechanism solutions indicate that the rupture occurred on a north-south striking fault, dipping moderately to either to the east or west.[4] The epicenter was located at Tsogo Township in Tingri County, an area with an average altitude of 4,500 m (14,800 ft).[12] Moment magnitude and surface wave magnitude (Ms) are two slightly different ways to measure the strength of an earthquake; moment magnitude is more recently developed to measure total energy released by the earthquake.[13]

Modelling of the rupture by the United States Geological Survey revealed motion along a north–northeast striking fault dipping west–northwest or north–northwest striking fault dipping east–northeast. In both solutions, co-seismic slip occurred for about 80 km (50 mi) along strike and extended to 20 km (12 mi) depth. The maximum slip in these solutions were 1.6 m (5 ft 3 in) and 1.3 m (4 ft 3 in), respectively. A rupture area of about 80 km (50 mi) x 20 km (12 mi) was estimated, extending from Ngamring County to southern Tingri County near the border with Nepal.[4] Seismologists at the China Earthquake Networks Center said the mainshock originated within the Lhasa terrane, a crustal block that forms part of the plateau.[14] Geologic activity causes north–south compression and east−west extension within the plateau which are accommodated by faults.[15]

The China Earthquake Administration evaluated that the enture rupture occurred within 23 seconds, releasing a seismic moment estimated at 4.0469 × 1019 Nm. However, the greatest moment release occurred 13 seconds after the rupture initiated. The rupture propagated bilaterally along a normal fault, but most of it was directed northward. The institution also determined that there was a high likelihood of surface rupture.[11] Surface ruptures were later mapped via satellite imagery; they occurred on the eastern shores of Dengme Co lake discontinuously for 11 km (6.8 mi). These ruptures exhibited normal faulting characteristics.[16]

The Chengdu University of Technology reported a maximum China seismic intensity scale of IX, which was recorded in six townships within an area of 671 km2 (259 sq mi), including Chamso, Cogo, Gyaco and Qulho Township. Intensity VIII was felt in Dinggyê, Lhatse and Sa'gya Counties within a 2,917 km2 (1,126 sq mi) area. Since 1949, 37 earthquakes of Ms  5.0–5.9, 7 of Ms  6.0–6.9, and 1 of Ms  7.0–7.9 have been recorded within 200 km (120 mi) of the epicentre. It was the deadliest earthquake in the immediate area since a Ms 6.6 event occurred in Yadong County on 20 November 1980. That earthquake had an epicenter 176 km (109 mi) away and killed 3 people in the county. The 7 January 2025 earthquake was also the largest in the area since a Ms 7.1 struck 171 km (106 mi) to the south on 26 April 2015.[17]

The tremor was widely felt in much of South Asia, reaching Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, approximately 400 km (250 mi) from the epicenter, where residents fled their homes in fear. Strong shaking was also experienced in areas near Mount Everest, including Lobuche and Namche. The earthquake's effects extended to Thimphu in Bhutan, and the northern Indian states of Bihar, Assam, and West Bengal.[18] Shaking was also felt in Dhaka, Bangladesh and other parts of the country.[19] At least 515 aftershocks followed the mainshock.[2]

Impact

The earthquake killed at least 126 people, injured 188 more,[20] and collapsed more than 3,600 homes in Tibet.[21] On 8 January, rescuers said an unknown number of people remain missing as Chinese officials had not provided a figure.[22] Fatalities occurred in Tingri, Lhatse and Sa'gya Counties. More than 1,000 homes collapsed in Tingri County,[23] and five sections of national and provincial roads were damaged by landslides, collapses and subsidence.[24] In Lhatse County, debris covered streets and vehicles,[25] and a hotel was damaged.[26] More than 170 China Mobile stations were disabled by the earthquake, although mobile services were restored nine hours later.[21] In Nepal, 13 people were injured, including 11 in Bara, and one each from Kavrepalanchok and Kathmandu. Two homes were destroyed, and 12 others and a police station were damaged across the country.[27][28][29] Near the base camp of Mount Everest, a climber on the mountain's Nepalese side saw avalanches cascading down.[22] In Bihar, India, several homes were slightly damaged in Samastipur district.[30]

Response

Firefighters and rescuers at the earthquake rescue site in Shigatse

Following the earthquake, more than 3,400 rescue personnel, 340 medical workers,[31] 75 vehicles, four search dogs and 7,030 sets of equipment were dispatched to the epicentre.[32] The China Meteorological Administration issued a level-three emergency alert for the area.[33] To prevent further casualties during potential aftershocks, residents were evacuated. Local officials also allocated resources from the transport, water and village administrative departments to aid in rescue efforts.[34] The State Council's Earthquake Relief Command [zh] and the Ministry of Emergency Management, in conjunction with the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration, distributed 22,000 units of centralised relief supplies, including cotton tents, cotton coats, quilts, and folding beds, as well as specialised relief materials for high-cold and high-altitude regions to the affected areas.[35] The national air force also participated in rescue efforts and sent drones to the area.[36] Air cargo, medical services, ground forces, and helicopters of the Western Theater Command Air Force were deployed.[37]

Temperatures in the area at the time of the earthquake were estimated to have been −8 °C (18 °F), and were expected to fall to −16 °C (3 °F) by night.[36] The Western Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army was also mobilised to assist in relief efforts.[38] The China Center for Resources Satellite Data and Application deployed eight satellites to monitor the area.[39] The Mount Qomolangma scenic area was temporarily closed and 530 visitors were evacuated.[40][41]

Xi Jinping, the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, "ordered all-out rescue efforts". He urged the relevant bodies to treat the injured, repair damaged infrastructure, and relocate those displaced.[42] The Chinese government said it would allocate 100 million yuan ($13.6 million) for disaster relief.[20] In Nepal, security forces were deployed to areas affected by the earthquake.[43]

At 14:00 on 7 January, 30 officers and soldiers from the People's Armed Police Tibet Contingent arrived in the earthquake-affected region of Shigatse, while 359 other officers and soldiers hastened to the disaster zone.[44][45] By the evening, China Central Television reported that more than 400 people were rescued, 14 housing areas were established, and at least 30,400 were relocated. All damaged roads were also reopened.[46] The initial consignment of over 5,800 cotton tents, garments, quilts, and other central relief supplies has reached the earthquake-affected regions of Tingri County, while the remaining more than 16,000 central relief items arrived in the disaster-impacted areas on the 8th.[47]

The 14th Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, said he was "deeply saddened" over the earthquake and offered prayers for the victims.[48]

See also

References

  1. ^ ANSS. "M 4.1 - Southern Tibetan Plateau 2025". Comprehensive Catalog. U.S. Geological Survey.
  2. ^ a b "截至今日8时，西藏定日地震共记录到余震515次". China Daily. 8 January 2025. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
  3. ^ ANSS. "M 5.1 – 72 km NE of Lobuche, Nepal 2025". Comprehensive Catalog. U.S. Geological Survey.
  4. ^ a b c ANSS. "M 7.1 – 2025 Xizang, China Earthquake 2025". Comprehensive Catalog. U.S. Geological Survey.
  5. ^ "Search Earthquake Catalog". U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
  6. ^ Kua, Isabel (7 January 2025). "Quake In China's Tibet Kills 32 With Tremors Felt In Nepal, India". Barron's. Barron's. Agence France-Presse. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
  7. ^ Madden-Nadeau, Amber (2014). "Overview of the geology of the Himalayas" (PDF). Geology for Global Development. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 November 2023. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
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