NewKerala.com

4.5 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Tibet at 110km Depth

A magnitude 4.5 earthquake struck Tibet on Wednesday at a significant depth of 110 kilometers. This event followed a shallower, potentially more dangerous 3.2 magnitude quake that hit the region just a day earlier. The Tibetan Plateau is highly seismically active due to the ongoing collision between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. This geological setting makes the region prone to regular earthquakes, with the largest events historically occurring along strike-slip faults.

Key Points: 4.5 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Tibet, NCS Reports

  • Magnitude 4.5 quake at 110km depth
  • Preceded by 3.2 magnitude event on Tuesday
  • Shallow quakes pose greater danger
  • Region sits on major tectonic fault line
2 min read

Earthquake of magnitude 4.5 strikes Tibet

A magnitude 4.5 earthquake struck Tibet at a depth of 110km, following a 3.2 magnitude quake the previous day. Learn about the region's seismic risks.

"EQ of M: 4.5, On: 04/02/2026 11:56:15 IST, Lat: 32.99 N, Long: 83.32 E, Depth: 110 Km, Location: Tibet. - National Center for Seismology"

Tibet, February 4

An earthquake of magnitude 4.5 struck Tibet on Wednesday, a statement by the National Center for Seismology said.

The earthquake occurred at a depth of 110km.

In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 4.5, On: 04/02/2026 11:56:15 IST, Lat: 32.99 N, Long: 83.32 E, Depth: 110 Km, Location: Tibet."

Earlier on Tuesday, an earthquake of magnitude 3.2 struck Tibet. 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

Share this article:

Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
The geological explanation here is fascinating. The whole Himalayan region is so active because of the Indian plate pushing north. It's a constant, slow-motion collision that we feel as earthquakes. Nature's power is humbling.
P
Priya S
Magnitude 4.5 is considered light, but location and depth matter so much. In a remote, mountainous area like Tibet, even a smaller quake can trigger landslides and block roads. Relief efforts become a huge challenge. Hope the damage is minimal.
R
Rohit P
We in North India feel tremors from these Tibetan quakes sometimes. Makes you realize how connected the landmass is. The article is very technical but could use a simpler map or graphic for common people to understand the fault lines.
K
Karthik V
The constant seismic activity is a reminder for all Himalayan states and countries to have strict building codes. Retrofitting old structures is expensive but necessary. Preparedness saves lives when the big one eventually comes.

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

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50