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2.8 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Bhutan, Shallow Depth Raises Risk

A magnitude 2.8 earthquake struck Bhutan at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, making it susceptible to aftershocks. This follows a magnitude 3.8 quake in the same region earlier in January. Bhutan is located in one of the world's most seismically active zones, falling within high-risk categories IV and V. The country also faces other imminent natural hazards including Glacier Lake Outburst Floods, windstorms, landslides, and flash fires.

Key Points: 2.8 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Bhutan at Shallow Depth

  • Magnitude 2.8 quake hits Bhutan
  • Shallow depth of 10km increases danger
  • Bhutan in high-risk seismic zones IV & V
  • Region faces multiple natural hazards
2 min read

Earthquake of magnitude 2.8 strikes Bhutan

A magnitude 2.8 earthquake struck Bhutan at a shallow 10km depth, raising risks of aftershocks. Bhutan is in a highly active seismic zone.

"Shallow earthquakes are generally more dangerous than deep earthquakes. - Asian Disaster Reduction Centre"

Thimphu, January 25

An earthquake of magnitude 2.8 struck Bhutan on Sunday, a statement by the National Center for Seismology said.

The earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of 10km, making it susceptible to aftershocks.

In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 2.8, On: 25/01/2026 11:11:35 IST, Lat: 27.14 N, Long: 89.02 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Bhutan."

Earlier on January 7, an earthquake of magnitude 3.8 struck the region at a depth of 10km.

In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 3.8, On: 07/01/2026 03:17:16 IST, Lat: 27.27 N, Long: 91.70 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Bhutan."

Shallow earthquakes are generally more dangerous than deep earthquakes. This is because the seismic waves from shallow earthquakes have a shorter distance to travel to the surface, resulting in stronger ground shaking and potentially more damage to structures and greater casualties.

Bhutan, like the rest of the world, has not been spared by the fury of natural hazards and is susceptible to many kinds of them. Geo-physically, Bhutan is located in the young Himalayan Mountains and considered to be one of the most seismically active zones in the world, the Asian Disaster Reduction Centre stated.

As per the Indian Seismic Code, Bhutan falls within seismic zones IV and V, which are the most active zones. Considering the location and as proven by the past earthquakes, earthquakes are one of the most imminent hazards in Bhutan. As a result of global warming, Glacier Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) poses another risk to the people of Bhutan. Due to climate change, the seasonal strong winds have become one of the hazards in Bhutan, causing significant damage to the rural homes in Bhutan.

The 2011 and 2013 windstorms caused huge damage to rural homes in Bhutan. Other hazards, such as landslides, flash floods, and forest/structural fires, also sweep across the country, causing significant losses to properties and lives, the Asian Disaster Reduction Centre stated.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The depth being only 10km is concerning, even for a smaller quake. Hope our friends in Bhutan are safe. The part about GLOFs due to climate change is very worrying for the entire region.
R
Rohit P
NCS is doing a good job with timely updates. It's important for people in Sikkim, Arunachal, and other bordering states to be aware. We share the same geological risks.
S
Sarah B
While the article is informative, it feels a bit repetitive with the two almost identical NCS posts quoted. Could have summarized the data points more concisely. The core information about seismic zones and secondary hazards is crucial though.
K
Karthik V
This is a wake-up call. Our building codes in Indian cities near fault lines need strict enforcement. Jaipur had that tremor recently too. Mother Nature doesn't care for borders.
M
Meera T
The mention of the 2011/2013 windstorms putting rural homes at risk is so true. Similar issues in our Himalayan villages. Infrastructure resilience should be a top priority for regional cooperation. Stay safe, everyone.

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