According to the China Earthquake Network, a magnitude 6.8 earthquake occurred in Dingri County, Shigatse City, Tibet at 9:5 on January 7, 2025 (28.50 degrees north latitude and 87.45 degrees east longitude), with a depth of 10 kilometers. As of 13:00 on January 7, 2025, a total of 16 aftershocks of magnitude 3 and above were recorded, including 13 earthquakes of magnitude 3.0-3.9 and 3 earthquakes of magnitude 4.0 or above, respectively, namely 9:24:4, 9:37:4.2, and 9:43:4.1 earthquakes.
After the earthquake, the China Earthquake Network Center organized experts to conduct research and analysis of the earthquake. The epicenter of the 6.8-magnitude earthquake in Dingji is located inside the Lhasa plot on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The fault closest to the earthquake is a fault fault, about 11 kilometers away, and the focal mechanism is a tension-type rupture.
The uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, shortening and thickening of the earth's crust and extensive plateau deformation caused by the collision between the Indian plate and the Eurasian plate are the main dynamic mechanisms that control the tectonic deformation in western mainland China. The southern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is subjected to both north-south extrusion and east-west tension stress. There are two typical faults that are nearly north-south and near east-west development within the plateau. Under this strong crustal deformation, the Lhasa plot and the peripheral fault zone are particularly active. Since 1950, a total of 21 earthquakes of magnitude 6 or above occurred in the Lhasa plot, with the largest being the magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Milin, Tibet in 2017. Therefore, this earthquake is an energy release from the Lhasa plot.
Generally speaking, after a major earthquake occurs, aftershock activities will be observed in its focal area and adjacent areas. These aftershock activities gradually weaken in intensity and frequency over time, and there will also be ups and downs during the process. Therefore, there is still a possibility of sensitive earthquakes in the original earthquake zone and nearby areas in recent days.
(Reporter Zhang Tengfei of the General Station)
