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Bhutan Rocked by Back-to-Back Earthquakes, Experts Warn of Aftershocks
8 Sep
Summary
- Two earthquakes struck Bhutan on the same day, with magnitudes of 4.2 and 2.8
- Quakes occurred at depths of 10 km, making them susceptible to aftershocks
- Bhutan is located in a seismically active region, prone to natural disasters
On September 8, 2025, Bhutan was struck by two earthquakes in quick succession. The first quake, measuring 4.2 in magnitude, occurred at 11:15:51 IST, with a depth of 10 km. Just a few hours later, at 12:49:37 IST, a second tremor of 2.8 magnitude hit the region, also at a depth of 10 km.
According to the National Center for Seismology (NCS), the shallow depth of these earthquakes makes them more susceptible to aftershocks, which could potentially cause further damage. Bhutan, situated in the young Himalayan Mountains, is considered one of the most seismically active zones in the world, falling within the highest-risk seismic zones IV and V.
In addition to earthquakes, Bhutan faces other natural hazards, such as glacier lake outbursts, strong winds, landslides, and flash floods, all of which have caused significant damage to properties and loss of life in the past. The country's vulnerability to these disasters is exacerbated by the effects of climate change, making it crucial for authorities to strengthen disaster preparedness and mitigation efforts.
