Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Scientists Question Whether Tibetan Seismic Event Was Earthquake
A strong shaking signal was reported in Tibet near Nepal.
It was first described as an earthquake.
Scientists studying a disaster in Nepal are not sure that an earthquake caused the landslide.
They think the landslide may have created the shaking signal instead.
The United States Geological Survey also studied the event.
It called the event a magnitude-5.2 seismic event near Kodari, Nepal.
The USGS said the landslide caused the signal, not an earthquake.
Scientists are therefore questioning what happened first.
A reported magnitude-5 earthquake occurred in Tibet, hundreds of miles north of a Himalayan flood.
Scientists investigating the disaster question whether an earthquake triggered the devastating landslide in Nepal.
They suggest the seismic signal may instead have been produced by the landslide itself.
The United States Geological Survey identified the event near Kodari, Nepal, as magnitude 5.2.
The USGS said the seismic event was caused by a landslide rather than an earthquake.
- Who
- Scientists investigating the disaster and the United States Geological Survey.
- What
- A reported magnitude-5 seismic event is being disputed as either an earthquake or a signal produced by a landslide.
- Where
- Near Kodari, Nepal, and in Tibet, north of the Himalayan flood.
- Why
- Scientists and the USGS questioned the earthquake explanation because they believe the landslide may have produced the seismic signal.
Earthquake Interpretation
Landslide Interpretation
Cause of the seismic signal
Earthquake Interpretation
The event was initially reported as a magnitude-5 earthquake in Tibet.
Landslide Interpretation
Investigating scientists and the United States Geological Survey said the signal may have been caused by the landslide itself.
Relationship to the Nepal disaster
Earthquake Interpretation
The reported earthquake could have been considered a trigger for the landslide.
Landslide Interpretation
Scientists questioned whether an earthquake triggered the landslide and instead suggested the landslide generated the seismic signal.
- Reported magnitude
- Magnitude 5
- USGS magnitude
- Magnitude 5.2
- Location
- Near Kodari, Nepal
- Disputed cause
- Earthquake or landslide-generated seismic signal
- Scientists' view
- The seismic signal may have been produced by the landslide itself.
- USGS view
- The event was caused by a landslide, not an earthquake.