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3.4 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Bhutan at Shallow, Dangerous Depth

An earthquake measuring 3.4 on the Richter scale struck Bhutan at a shallow depth of 6 kilometers. Shallow earthquakes pose a greater danger as their seismic waves cause stronger ground shaking. Bhutan is located in one of the world's most seismically active zones, classified under high-risk categories. The country also faces other natural hazards like floods, landslides, and windstorms exacerbated by climate change.

Key Points: 3.4 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Bhutan, Risk of Aftershocks

  • Magnitude 3.4 quake hits Bhutan
  • Occurred at shallow depth of 6km
  • Bhutan in high-risk seismic zones IV & V
  • Shallow quakes cause stronger ground shaking
2 min read

Earthquake of magnitude 3.4 strikes Bhutan

A shallow 3.4 magnitude earthquake struck Bhutan, raising risks of strong aftershocks and damage due to the country's high seismic zone.

"Shallow earthquakes are generally more dangerous than deep earthquakes. - USGS data"

Thimpu, February 25

An earthquake of magnitude 3.4 struck Bhutan on Wednesday, a statement by the National Center for Seismology said.

The earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of 6km, making it susceptible to aftershocks.

In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 3.4, On: 25/02/2026 20:24:39 IST, Lat: 27.72 N, Long: 90.07 E, Depth: 6 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.

Earthquakes can occur anywhere between the Earth's surface and about 700 kilometres below the surface. For scientific purposes, this earthquake depth range of 0 - 700 km is divided into three zones: shallow, intermediate, and deep, as per USGS data.

Shallow earthquakes are between 0 and 70 km deep; intermediate earthquakes, 70 - 300 km deep; and deep earthquakes, 300 - 700 km deep. In general, the term "deep-focus earthquakes" is applied to earthquakes deeper than 70 km, the USGS states.

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

R
Rohit P
A 3.4 magnitude at 6km depth is definitely felt on the ground. The article rightly points out the seismic zone. Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh share this risk. Our disaster management agencies should keep coordinating with Bhutan.
D
David E
Interesting read on the science behind shallow vs deep quakes. The part about GLOFs due to climate change is particularly concerning for the entire Himalayan region. Adaptation strategies are crucial.
A
Ananya R
While the focus is on earthquakes, the article mentions so many other hazards Bhutan faces - landslides, flash floods, windstorms. It's a reminder that mountain ecosystems are very fragile. We need to learn from their experience for our Himalayan states.
S
Siddharth J
Respectfully, the article is quite technical and jumps from the specific quake to general hazards very quickly. Could have focused more on the immediate impact and response for this event. Still, important info about our region's geology.
K
Kavya N
Bhutan is such a peaceful country. It's sad they have to deal with so many natural threats. Hope the damage is minimal. India should always be ready to offer help to our close friend and neighbour.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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