Powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake hits Tibet – rattling the slopes of Mt Everest
- This story is developing, more to come
A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake has struck a Tibetan region near Mount Everest, shaking the Nepalese capital Kathmandu just before dawn on Tuesday.
The US Geological Survey said the earthquake’s epicenter was 56 miles (92 kilometers) from Lobuche in Nepal, along China’s mountainous border with Tibet.
Data from the USGC showed that Everest, the world’s highest mountain, itself experienced magnitude 4.5 tremors.
The USGC said of the affected region: ‘Generally, the population in this region lives in structures that are highly vulnerable to earthquakes, although some resistant structures exist.
‘The most vulnerable building types are mud blocks and unreinforced brick with mud construction.’
It is currently unknown if there were climbers on Everest at the time of the earthquake, which could have been potentially disastrous.
In 2015, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Nepal triggered a massive avalanche from Pumori, a nearby mountain, sending snow to Everest’s base camp, killing at least 22 people.
At least 61 people were injured. It is still the deadliest disaster on the mountain.
Data from the USGC showed that Everest, the world’s highest mountain, itself experienced magnitude 4.5 tremors (file image)
Nepal is particularly prone to earthquakes, given its location in the collision zone of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.
Because the country and surrounding regions lie on an active fault line, they often experience shallow earthquakes.
More to follow.