New Delhi: A powerful earthquake of 7.1 magnitude struck the mountainous region in western China near the Nepal border on January 7, 2025. The earthquake has resulted in the deaths of at least 53 people and the injury of a minimum of 68 people. The earthquake has damaged buildings and infrastructure extensively. As per the US Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake’s epicentre was 93 kilometres northeast of Lobuche in Nepal near the border with Tibet. On this occasion, we will take a look at the 1950 Assam-Tibet earthquake which is considered one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded on land.
Assam-Tibet earthquake: One of the strongest earthquakes ever
The Assam-Tibet earthquake took place on August 15, 1950, and its moment magnitude was 8.7. The Mishmi Hills was an epicentre of the earthquake and the magnitude ranged from 8.6 to 8.8. It was the largest onshore earthquake ever recorded and the sixth largest earthquake of the 20th century.
The earthquake and its aftershocks devastated Assam and Tibet. There were numerous aftershocks with most of them of magnitude 6 and over and well enough recorded at distant stations. There was evidence of surface rupture at multiple locations. To date, it remains the largest recorded earthquake caused by continental collision rather than subduction and it produced tremendous noise.
What was the impact of the 1950 Assam-Tibet earthquake?
The 1950 Assam-Tibet earthquake resulted in a huge death toll in Assam and Nepal. In Assam, 1,526 people died as per records and in Tibet, the earthquake killed 3,300 people. In total, the earthquake resulted in the death of around 4,800 people. In Arunachal Pradesh’s Abor Hills, the resultant landslides destroyed 70 villages and killed 156 people.
Assam witnessed huge amount of property loss due to the earthquake and the proportion was much greater than the 1897 earthquake. Apart from the quake, floods took place where the rose high and brought down sand, mud and other kinds of debris. The topography of the affected regions in Assam changed mainly due to enormous landslides.
In Tibet, Lhasa experienced strong shaking and loud cracking noises from the earth. The place felt the aftershocks for days. In Rima (Zayü Town), violent shaking, extensive slides, and the rise of the streams took place. A few days later, Assam felt an extensive aftershock. It took months and even years for both Tibet and Assam to recover from the earthquake which is one of the most devastating ever in history.
The 1950 Assam-Tibet earthquake, measuring 8.7 on the moment magnitude scale, remains one of history’s most powerful onshore earthquakes. Its epicentre in the Mishmi Hills caused widespread devastation across Assam and Tibet, resulting in approximately 4,800 deaths and significant infrastructural damage. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
