1975 Kinnaur Earthquake

Date: January 19, 1975 • Location: Lahul and Spiti, India

An earthquake registering 6.8 Ms struck northern Himachal Pradesh in India, causing extensive damage to the region.

An earthquake occurred in Kinnaur district in Himachal Pradesh, northern India, in the early afternoon of 19 January 1975. It had a magnitude of 6.8 on the surface-wave magnitude scale and a maximum perceived intensity of IX (Violent) on the Mercalli intensity scale, causing extensive damage. It caused 47 casualties. Landslides, rock falls and avalanches caused major damage to the Hindustan-Tibet Road. The earthquake affected many monasteries and buildings in the state and led to an extensive restoration work in the late 1970s and early 1980s in Himachal Pradesh. The Spiti and Parachu valleys in particular suffered the greatest damage being on the north–south Kaurik-Chango fault, causing damage to landmarks such as Key Monastery and Tabo Monastery.