Magnitude 3.4 Earthquake Strikes Bhutan

Light Tremor Recorded in Bhutan

A light earthquake with a magnitude of 3.4 struck Bhutan on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. The seismic event occurred at approximately 8:54 PM local time (20:24:39 IST), as reported by the National Center for Seismology (NCS).

The earthquake's epicenter was located in Wangdue Phodrang Dzongkhag, at coordinates 27.72 N latitude and 90.07 E longitude. This places the tremor approximately 51 kilometers northeast of Bhutan's capital, Thimphu.

Shallow Depth and Felt Reports

The earthquake registered at a shallow depth of just 6 kilometers. Shallow earthquakes are generally considered to have the potential for stronger ground shaking compared to deeper ones, as seismic waves have less distance to travel to the surface.

While no significant damage or casualties were reported, the tremor was felt by some individuals near the epicenter. Weak shaking was likely experienced in Punakha, a town of 22,000 inhabitants located 24 kilometers southwest of the epicenter, and very weak shaking in Thimphu.

Bhutan's Seismic Landscape

Bhutan is situated within the geologically active Himalayan Mountains, a region known for its high seismic activity. The country falls within seismic zones IV and V of the Indian Seismic Code, indicating it is among the most active earthquake zones.

Historically, Bhutan has experienced numerous earthquakes. The region records an average of 68 quakes of magnitude 2 or higher annually. Notable past events include a major earthquake in 1714 with an estimated magnitude between 7.5 and 8.5, and several others exceeding magnitude 6 since 1900. The ongoing seismic activity is a result of the collision between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.