Scientists warn of increasing earthquake risk near Tibetan Plateau

A recent Chinese study warns of a new period of strong earthquakes in and around the Tibetan Plateau, reported scmp.com Apr 6. Published Mar 20 by the Beijing Earthquake Agency, the study analyzed 150 years of data linking major tremors to Earth’s rotational shifts. Areas of concern include Tibet’s Bayan Har block and the Eastern Himalayan Syntaxis. The risk is particularly alarming as China pushes ahead with the world’s largest hydroelectric dam in Tibet’s seismically active Metog County. However, state experts remain divided, with some denying any global surge in seismic activity this year.