On January 7, a powerful earthquake struck the Tibet belt, in an area close to Mount Everest, causing destruction and loss of life. The earthquake which occurred at 9:05 am, recorded a magnitude of 6.8 by the Chinese authorities and 7.1 by the U.S Geological Survey.
Its epicenter is located in Tingri County, nearly 80 kilometers north of the Mount Everest. The earthquake’s intensity had a shallow depth of just 10 kilometers impacting neighbouring regions like Nepal, Bhutan and parts of Northern India. The seismic event caused over 90 casualties and nearly 130 people are reported to be injured.
Let’s find out why the earthquake took place and more details about it.
What’s happening under Tibet
Tibet region is known for its seismic activity because of the collisions between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, which had formed the Himalayas. As per historical data, this region has undergone many seismic activities making it one of the most active zones prone to earthquakes.
The Tingri tremor refers to a mysterious and unexplained phenomenon of low-frequency tremors reported by residents and travelers in the Tingri region of Tibet, China. The tremors, which have been described as a persistent, low-pitched vibration.
What is Lhasa block
The Lhasa block, also known as the Lhasa terrane, is a geological block or terrane that makes up a significant portion of the Tibetan Plateau. It is a crustal body that was formed as a result of the collision between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates around 50 million years ago. The Lhasa block is characterized by a thick crust, typically ranging from 60-80 km in thickness, and is composed of a variety of rocks, including granites and sedimentary rocks.
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Why Nepal and Tibet prone to earthquake
Nepal and Tibet are situated in a seismic prone region, making them highly susceptible to earthquakes. The primary reason for this is the ongoing collision between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, which has been occurring for millions of years. As the Indian plate is beneath the Eurasian plate, immense stress builds up, leading to recurring earthquakes.
Residents of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, which is located approximately 400km away from the epicentre, also experienced tremors. However, no casualties have been reported.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has announced immediate medical assistance for the sufferers of earthquake in the Tibetian region. Jinping said, the official have been putting efforts to provide relief to the impacted communities.
