Rescuers work in an earthquake-stricken area in Dingri county, Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region, Jan 7, 2025. (Photo by Tentsen Shinden/for chinadaily.com.cn)
The deadly 6.8-magnitude earthquake that jolted Dingri county of Shigatse in the Xizang autonomous region on Tuesday happened following a northward compression from the Indian Ocean plate and crustal movement, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center.
The quake's epicenter was located in the Lhasa block in southern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the center stated. It happened because of extensional rupture and represented an energy release event within the Lhasa block, it said.
Since 1950, a total of 21 earthquakes above magnitude 6 have occurred in the Lhasa block, with a maximum magnitude of 6.9, it said.
It's possible that aftershocks will hit the epicenter of Tuesday's jolt and the surrounding areas, the center stated.
The quake occurred at 9:05 am on Tuesday. Its epicenter was in the county's Tsogo township, where approximately 6,900 people live within a 20-kilometer radius.
A total of 126 people have been confirmed dead and 188 others injured as of 7 pm Tuesday, according to local authorities.
According to CENC, as of 8 am Wednesday, a total of 515 aftershocks have been recorded around Dingri county, including 488 aftershocks below magnitude 3.0 and 27 of magnitude 3.0 and above. The largest aftershock currently is magnitude 4.4, located approximately 18 kilometers from the epicenter.
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