Shaking the Tibetan Plateau: Insights from the Mw 7.1 Dingri earthquake and its implications for active fault mapping and disaster mitigation

Abstract

Earthquakes, as one of the most devastating natural disasters, pose significant risks to human life, infrastructure, and the environment. The sudden release of energy during seismic events can result in catastrophic destruction, including building collapses, landslides, tsunamis, and widespread societal disruption. Particularly in densely populated areas or regions with inadequate preparedness, earthquakes can lead to immense loss of life and long-term economic impacts 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 . The Tibetan Plateau, a region formed by the continuous collision between the Indian and Eurasian Plates, is not only known as the “Third Pole” due to its extreme elevation, but also as one of the most seismically active areas in the world. The complex tectonic setting results in some of the highest rates of crustal deformation, the most active fault systems, and frequent earthquake occurrences globally 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 . This ongoing tectonic activity has transformed the region into a natural laboratory for the study of earthquake dynamics and their associated geohazards. Since the beginning of the 21st century, the plateau has been struck by several major earthquakes, including the 2001 Mw7.8 Hoh Xil earthquake, the 2008 Mw7.1 Yutian earthquake, and the devastating 2008 Mw7.9 Wenchuan earthquake, along with numerous other significant seismic events 12 , 13 , 15 , 17 , 19 , 20 , 21 . While earthquakes along the margins of the Tibetan Plateau and in surrounding areas have caused extensive casualties and property damage, seismic activity within the plateau’s interior, such as the 2001 Hoh Xil and 2008 Yutian earthquakes, has resulted in relatively minimal destruction 15 , 21 , 22 .