On January 7, 2025, a powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.1 struck the western Xizang Autonomous Region of China, causing significant damage and loss of life. The earthquake occurred at 01:05 UTC (09:05 local time), with the epicenter located in Dingri County, approximately 94 km (58 miles) northeast of Lobuche, Nepal, and 141 km (88 miles) north of Khā̃dbāri̇̄, Nepal. The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported the earthquake’s depth as 10 km (6.2 miles), while the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC) reported a slightly lower magnitude of 6.8.
The earthquake affected a large area, with an estimated 600,000 people experiencing varying intensities of shaking. Around 4,000 people felt severe shaking, while 15,000 experienced very strong shaking, and over 570,000 encountered strong to moderate tremors. In response, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) issued a Yellow alert for potential fatalities, with a secondary Orange alert indicating significant economic losses and widespread damage. Although the economic impact is expected to be minimal in terms of China’s GDP (under 1%), the region’s high vulnerability to earthquakes exacerbated the destruction.
As of the latest reports, Chinese authorities have confirmed 53 fatalities and 62 injuries. Emergency response teams, including over 1,500 local firefighters and rescue personnel, have been mobilized to assist with the relief efforts. In total, 22,000 disaster relief items have been sent, including provisions tailored for high-altitude and cold regions.
Causes and Tectonic Context
The earthquake occurred as a result of normal faulting at a shallow depth, along a fault zone situated within the Eurasian plate, just north of the boundary where the Indian and Eurasian plates collide. The collision of these tectonic plates causes continuous seismic activity, contributing to mountain uplift and frequent earthquakes in this region.
Analysis of the earthquake’s focal mechanism suggests the rupture followed a north-south striking fault, dipping moderately either east or west. The rupture area, estimated at 45 km (28 miles) in length and 20 km (12 miles) in width, aligns with the tectonic activity characteristic of this region.
This area has experienced several large seismic events over the past century. Notably, the 2015 M7.3 earthquake in Nepal, located about 160 km to the southwest, and the catastrophic 1934 M8.0 earthquake, which occurred approximately 160 km to the south-southwest, both underscore the seismic risk of the region. The 2015 Nepal earthquake sequence resulted in nearly 8,700 deaths and widespread damage.
Secondary Hazards and Vulnerability
In addition to the primary earthquake shaking, secondary hazards such as landslides and liquefaction are common in this region, which may have further compounded the losses. Many structures in the affected area are highly vulnerable to seismic activity. Predominantly constructed from adobe blocks and unreinforced brick with mud, these buildings are prone to collapse under strong shaking.
The disaster response continues as local authorities, supported by national agencies, work to assess the full scale of the damage and provide aid to the affected population. With the significant vulnerability of the region and the potential for aftershocks, efforts to stabilize the area and provide long-term relief will likely require coordinated regional and national responses.
Conclusion
The 2025 Xizang earthquake highlights the persistent seismic risks in the region, driven by ongoing tectonic activity at the Indian-Eurasian plate boundary. As efforts to aid the affected population continue, the event serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of high-altitude regions to natural disasters, emphasizing the need for robust disaster preparedness and response strategies.
