Two earthquakes of moderate magnitude jolted the Union Territory of Ladakh within a span of nearly four hours on Thursday, triggering fear among residents, according to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS).
The first and stronger tremor, measuring 5.5 magnitude, struck Leh at 6:05 am IST, the NCS said. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 km, with its epicentre located at 36.881°N latitude and 74.402°E longitude.
In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 5.5, On: 13/08/2026 06:05:15 IST, Lat: 36.881 N, Long: 74.402 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Leh, Ladakh."
A second earthquake of 4.3 magnitude struck the Leh region at 9:54 am, nearly four hours after the first tremor. It was recorded at a depth of 10 km, with its epicentre at 36.76°N latitude and 75.326°E longitude, the NCS said.
Both earthquakes were recorded in the Leh region and occurred within a span of about four hours.
There were no immediate reports of loss of life or damage to property following the back-to-back tremors. The earthquakes, however, triggered concern among residents in the region, which falls in a seismically active zone.
Why shallow earthquakes can cause stronger shaking
According to data from the US Geological Survey (USGS), earthquakes can occur at depths ranging from the Earth's surface to around 700 km. For scientific purposes, earthquakes are broadly classified as shallow, intermediate or deep based on their depth.
Both Thursday's earthquakes were recorded at a depth of 10 km, placing them in the shallow category. Shallow earthquakes can produce stronger shaking at the surface because seismic waves travel a shorter distance before reaching the ground.
The potential impact of an earthquake, however, depends on several factors, including its magnitude, depth, distance from populated areas and the vulnerability of structures.
Further details from authorities were awaited.
