The 1950 Assam-Tibet Earthquake occurred on August 15, 1950. Recorded in the official USGS Earthquake Catalog, this seismic event registered a moment magnitude ($M_w$) of 8.6, placing it among earthquakes of great magnitude (magnitude 8 or higher). Event parameters place the epicenter at latitude 28.363 and longitude 96.445 in the Assam-Tibet region.
Earthquake Parameters and Depth
According to the official record, the earthquake originated at a shallow depth of 15.0 kilometers. The record notes a maximum Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) of 7.955, reflecting the severity of ground shaking associated with the event's source parameters. The catalog entry carries a significance score of 1138 and is classified under an automatic status.
Tsunami and Catalog Status
The official USGS catalog entry records a tsunami flag of false, indicating that no tsunami was generated or associated with this event in the structured record. Readers should note that catalog parameters such as the automatic status reflect the computational handling in the USGS database rather than a present-day physical risk or ongoing event.
Summary of Recorded Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Event Date | August 15, 1950 |
| Magnitude | 8.6 ($M_w$) |
| Depth | 15.0 km |
| Latitude | 28.363 |
| Longitude | 96.445 |
| Maximum MMI | 7.955 |
| Significance | 1138 |
| Tsunami Flag | False |
Frequently asked questions
When did the 1950 Assam-Tibet Earthquake occur?
The earthquake occurred on August 15, 1950.
What was the magnitude of the 1950 Assam-Tibet Earthquake?
The earthquake had a moment magnitude (Mw) of 8.6.
What was the depth of the earthquake's hypocenter?
The event originated at a depth of 15.0 kilometers.
Did the earthquake trigger a tsunami?
No, the official USGS catalog records the tsunami flag as false.
Image credits
- People's Pictorial Kingdon Ward Walter Heilig US Navy Arquivo Nacional IPPHOS Al Ravenna, World Telegram staff photographer NOAA Central Library, Silver Spring, Maryland — Wikimedia Commons source — CC BY-SA 4.0
Sources and further context
Official datasets support the event-specific facts.