Earthquake of magnitude 7 strikes China’s Tibet

By the Editorial Team · Friday, October 23, 2026

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck near Nagqu County in northern Tibet late on October 22 at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers. Due to the region’s high altitude and challenging terrain, officials are still assessing damage and monitoring aftershocks, with no immediate reports of casualties.

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck northern Tibet near Nagqu County late on October 22, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC). The tremor occurred at approximately 10:33 p.m. local time (1433 GMT) at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles). The epicenter was located in a high-altitude region with an average elevation of about 4,864 meters (15,955 feet) within five kilometers of the fault line.

The seismic event was strongly felt in the surrounding area. Nagqu is situated roughly 400 kilometers (249 miles) north of Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region. Officials reported no immediate information on casualties or damage resulting from the earthquake.

The region’s rugged terrain and high altitude complicate both monitoring and potential rescue efforts. Past seismic activity in Tibet has occasionally led to disruptions but detailed assessments typically follow once local conditions permit thorough inspection.

Authorities continue to monitor aftershocks and assess the overall impact as information becomes available.

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