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3.0 Magnitude Quake Hits Tibet, Shallow Depth Raises Aftershock Risk

A magnitude 3.0 earthquake struck Tibet on January 25, occurring at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers which increases the risk of aftershocks. This event followed a magnitude 3.7 tremor in the same region earlier that day. The Tibetan Plateau is highly seismically active due to the ongoing collision between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. This geological activity frequently results in earthquakes, with the largest historical events in Tibet occurring along strike-slip faults.

Key Points: Magnitude 3.0 Earthquake Strikes Tibet at Shallow Depth

  • Magnitude 3.0 quake at 10km depth
  • Followed a 3.7 magnitude quake same day
  • Shallow quakes cause stronger ground shaking
  • Region is seismically active from tectonic collision
  • Tibetan Plateau shaped by Indian-Eurasian plate collision
2 min read

Earthquake of magnitude 3.0 strikes Tibet

A magnitude 3.0 earthquake struck Tibet at a shallow 10km depth, following a 3.7 quake earlier. Learn about the region's seismic risks.

"EQ of M: 3.0, On: 25/01/2026 14:17:13 IST, Lat: 28.38 N, Long: 87.23 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Tibet. - National Center for Seismology"

Tibet, January 25

An earthquake of magnitude 3.0 struck Tibet 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: 3.0, On: 25/01/2026 14:17:13 IST, Lat: 28.38 N, Long: 87.23 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Tibet."

Earlier in the day, an earthquake of magnitude 3.7 struck the region at a shallow depth of 10km.

In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 3.7, On: 25/01/2026 04:23:01 IST, Lat: 28.58 N, Long: 87.29 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Tibet."

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.

The Tibetan Plateau is known for its seismic activity due to tectonic plate collisions.

Tibet and Nepal lie on a major geological fault line where the Indian tectonic plate pushes up into the Eurasian plate, and earthquakes are a regular occurrence as a result of it. The region is seismically active due to tectonic uplift that can become sufficiently strong to alter the elevations of the Himalayan peaks.

The Tibetan Plateau attains its high elevation due to crustal thickening caused by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates, which created the Himalayas. Faulting within the plateau is associated with strike-slip and normal mechanisms. The plateau extends east-west, as evidenced by north-south-striking grabens, strike-slip faulting, and GPS data.

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.

Seven north-south trending rifts and normal faults were first discovered in southern Tibet during the late 1970s and early 1980s using satellite imagery. They began formation when extension occurred some 4 to 8 million years ago.

The largest earthquakes in Tibet, with magnitudes of 8.0 or similar, occur along strike-slip faults. Normal faulting earthquakes are smaller in magnitude; in 2008, five normal faulting earthquakes with magnitudes of 5.9 to 7.1 occurred in various locations across the plateau.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The science behind it is fascinating but also scary. The Indian plate pushing into the Eurasian plate... it's the reason we have the Himalayas. But it also means constant seismic risk for the entire region, including North India. We need better preparedness.
R
Rohit P
Magnitude 3.0 is usually not felt much or causes damage. The article is quite technical, which is good for awareness. Hope our disaster management agencies are monitoring this, as activity in Tibet can sometimes precede events in the Himalayan states of India.
S
Sarah B
Living in Delhi, we sometimes feel tremors from quakes in the Himalayas. It's a sobering reminder that we're on the same tectonic system. This article provides excellent geological context. Respect to the scientists tracking all this data.
V
Vikram M
While the science is clear, I wish the article had focused a bit more on the human impact, even for a small quake. Are there villages near the epicenter? What is the building construction like there? Data is important, but so are people.
K
Karthik V
The constant geological activity is what shaped our sacred mountains. It's humbling. A 3.0 quake is minor, but it's part of a much larger, ongoing process. Stay safe, everyone in the region. Jai Hind.

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