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3.2 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Tibet at Shallow Depth

A magnitude 3.2 earthquake struck Tibet at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, making it susceptible to aftershocks. The National Center for Seismology provided the precise coordinates and timing of the event. Shallow earthquakes are often more dangerous as their seismic waves cause stronger ground shaking. The Tibetan Plateau is highly seismically active due to the ongoing collision between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.

Key Points: 3.2 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Tibet, Shallow Depth

  • Magnitude 3.2 quake in Tibet
  • Shallow depth of 10km
  • Region prone to seismic activity
  • Caused by tectonic plate collision
  • Shallow quakes can be more dangerous
2 min read

Earthquake of magnitude 3.2 strikes Tibet

A magnitude 3.2 earthquake struck Tibet at a shallow depth of 10km, raising concerns about aftershocks in the seismically active plateau.

"EQ of M: 3.2, On: 03/02/2026 10:17:43 IST, Lat: 28.80 N, Long: 87.30 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Tibet. - National Center for Seismology"

Tibet, February 3

An earthquake of magnitude 3.2 struck Tibet on Tuesday, 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: 3.2, On: 03/02/2026 10:17:43 IST, Lat: 28.80 N, Long: 87.30 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

R
Rohit P
The science behind this is fascinating. The whole Indian plate pushing into the Eurasian plate... it's literally shaping our mountains. But a bit too technical for a general news article? Could have focused more on current safety measures for people living there.
A
Aman W
Hope our brothers and sisters in the region are safe. Earthquakes don't recognize borders. The article is a good reminder for us in North India as well—Delhi, Uttarakhand, Himachal—we're all in a high-risk zone. Time to check our emergency kits.
S
Sarah B
The geological details are impressive, but the human angle is missing. Were there any tremors felt in nearby Indian areas like Sikkim or Arunachal? That's what most readers would want to know first.
V
Vikram M
Shallow depth of 10km is concerning. Even a moderate quake can cause significant shaking. The history of major quakes in the region, like the 2015 Nepal one, is scary. We need better early warning systems across the Himalayas, full stop.

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