Kathmandu: An earthquake of magnitude 3.8 struck Nepal on Thursday morning, according to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS).
In a post on X, the NCS said the earthquake occurred at 5:21 AM IST at a depth of 25 kilometres.
The post stated: “EQ of M: 3.8, On: 25/06/2026 05:21:43 IST, Lat: 28.762 N, Long: 81.918 E, Depth: 25 Km, Location: Nepal.”
Shallow earthquakes are generally considered more dangerous than deeper ones because seismic waves travel a shorter distance to the surface, resulting in stronger ground shaking and potentially greater damage to structures and higher casualties.
Earthquakes can occur anywhere between the Earth’s surface and about 700 kilometres below it. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), earthquake depths are classified into three categories: shallow, intermediate and deep.
Shallow earthquakes occur at depths of 0-70 km, intermediate earthquakes at 70-300 km, and deep earthquakes at 300-700 km. The term “deep-focus earthquakes” is generally used for earthquakes deeper than 70 km, according to the USGS.
Meanwhile, Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi urged citizens to remain vigilant after an earthquake with its epicentre off the coast of Iwate Prefecture caused strong shaking, with a maximum seismic intensity of 6-upper recorded in Hashikami Town in Aomori Prefecture.
Takaichi instructed relevant ministries and agencies to provide timely and accurate information regarding evacuations and damage assessments, while noting there was no tsunami threat.
“Around 7:30 a.m. today, an earthquake with its epicenter off the coast of Iwate Prefecture occurred, and a strong shaking with a maximum seismic intensity of 6-upper was observed in Hashikami Town, Aomori Prefecture. There is no concern about a tsunami,” she said in a post on X.
“To those in the areas where the shaking was strong, I ask that you continue to remain vigilant for the possibility of earthquakes of similar intensity. From now on, I will receive detailed reports and take charge of the disaster response,” she added.
Meanwhile, Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, was hit by two powerful earthquakes on Wednesday evening that struck the same area, causing buildings to collapse, according to the USGS.
The agency estimated the potential death toll could range between 10,000 and 100,000.
According to the USGS, the first earthquake, measuring magnitude 7.2, struck near San Felipe, about 284 kilometres west of Caracas, at 22:04 GMT.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: deccanchronicle.com
