Tibet experiences aftershocks after its own earthquake. This happens just hours after an 8.7-magnitude tremor off Russia triggers tsunami alerts across the Pacific.
Just hours after a powerful 8.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Russia’s far-eastern Kamchatka Peninsula, tsunami alerts were issued in Japan, Hawaii, Alaska, and other Pacific areas. Soon after, Tibet experienced its own seismic event. A 4.3-magnitude earthquake jolted the Himalayan plateau at around 6:58 IST, according to the National Center for Seismology (NCS).
The shallow quake in Tibet’s Xizang region occurred at a depth of about 10 km. It followed a series of tremors earlier in the month, including magnitudes of 3.5 and 4.0. Experts caution that even moderate shallow quakes can lead to stronger ground shaking and raise the risk of aftershocks.
Earlier in the day, the massive 8.7 tremor near Russia triggered widespread tsunami warnings. Coastal evacuations were ordered in Japan, Hawaii, Alaska, and several Pacific islands. Although tsunami waves stayed below 1 meter in many areas, the alert prompted evacuations at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant and strengthened emergency preparedness.
The occurrence of two separate seismic shocks—from Russia to Tibet—highlights the instability of the Pacific Ring of Fire and the fragile geology of the Himalayan region. Authorities across Asia and North America remain alert as aftershocks continue.