Why the location of China’s earthquake matters

Earthquake Details:

• A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Tibetan China and Nepal on January 7, 2025.
• The epicentre was located 80 km north of Mt Everest, in Tingry county, Shigatse region, Tibet.
• The quake caused 95 deaths, 130 injuries, and widespread destruction in China; the impact on Nepal is still being assessed.
• Tremors were felt in Kathmandu, Thimphu, and Kolkata.

Relevance ; GS 3(Disaster Management)

Significance of Location:

• The epicentre lies in the Lhasa terrane, a fragment of the Earth’s crust.
• The Lhasa terrane is home to critical infrastructure, including China’s largest hydroelectric-power dam project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River, which flows into India as the Brahmaputra.
• Concerns over the dam’s impact on river flow, potential water shortages, and India’s interest in the river’s management.

Hydroelectric Dam Project:

• China’s project aims to generate 300 billion kWh annually.
• The dam is located in the Lhasa terrane, and concerns about its effect on the river’s flow have raised environmental and geopolitical issues with India.

Himalayan Tectonics:

• The quake’s cause is linked to the tectonic collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates, which created the Himalayan mountain range 50 million years ago.
• The Indian plate is still pushing into the Eurasian plate at 60 mm/year, generating significant tectonic stress and causing frequent earthquakes in the region.

Historical Earthquake Activity:

• Since 1950, over 21 significant earthquakes have occurred in the Lhasa terrane, with a magnitude of 6 or higher.
• The strongest in recent years was a magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Mainline in 2017.

Implications for Water and Environment:

• The Himalayan region, considered the “third pole” due to its vast water reserves, is sensitive to seismic activity.
• Earthquakes can alter river courses, destabilize glaciers, and increase flood risks.

Geological Concerns:

• Understanding past and current tectonic stress in the region is key for predicting future earthquakes and their potential impact on infrastructure and the environment.