USGS: Magnitude 6.8 earthquake - SIKKIM, INDIA (Himalyas)

[bigworld]

Source: USGS

Not a very populated area. Right near Nepali - Indian - Bhutan - Tibet border in the Himalayas.

Read more: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/usc0005wg6.php

[Bosonic]

1. Hate to be driving through there during a big earthquake

The roads are already pucker factor 9.5

[Viva_La_Revolution]

2. depth of 12 miles..

this is how mountains form.. the Himalayas are some of the youngest mountains on earth.
http://library.thinkquest.org/10131/geology.html

http://earthquake-report.com/2011/09/18/very-strong-earthquake-in-sikkim-india/
We are currently collecting data from this earthquake

UPDATE: 13:47 UTC:-

The capital of Bhutan has received moderate shaking of intensity V. We continue to expect much damage.

UPDATE: 13:44 UTC:-

Gangtok and Shiliguri have recorded VII intensity values from the did you feel it? system on USGS meaning there is likely damage.

The city of Lucknow recorded shaking for 30 seconds.

UPDATE: 13:39 UTC:-

Earthquakes in 1973, 1980, 2006 and 2007 have caused damage and fatalities near Sikkim, India in CATDAT.

However, these earthquakes have had magnitudes much lower. The last earthquake in 2007 caused 2 fatalities near where the earthquake occurred today.

[SpiralHawk]

3. Planet Earth's yang pole

according to some. Whereas Four Corners is said to be the yin.

[FirstLight]

5. Very interesting...

The quake last month in Co. was near that, yes?

I am amazed by seeing the movement in the earth these past months, she is definitely waking from slumber...

Get to go to a special ceremony on the tribal Land today, blessing of the temple by the grandmothers. So as I dance barefoot on the earth, i will send love and prayers to her. :)

[valerief]

4. Himalayan fracking? nt

[davidwparker]

6. self-delete

[intheflow]

7. I have a friend whose family is from there.

He's very worried that both family and livestock are missing. :(

My prayers go out to the people of Sikkim.

[Bosonic]

8. Several killed as earthquake hits India, Nepal

At least seven people have been killed in Nepal and northern parts of India after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck the region.

Five people died in Nepal, including three crushed when a wall of the British embassy compound collapsed in the capital, Kathmandu.

At least two people died in the states of Sikkim and Bihar, officials said.

Several minor earthquakes have hit the region this year, but none have caused major damage.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-14965598

[Viva_La_Revolution]

9. More info starting to trickle in.. lots of communications still down..

UPDATE 23:59 UTC :

Image courtesy The Himalyan, Nepal
We truly hope that we get news from the Himalayan villages nearest to the epicenter. The biggest danger will be located in these villages. Most of the casualties we have heard so far are from places at a relatively big distance from the epicenter. We expect news from these remote Himalayan villages within 3 to 24 hours.

UPDATE 23:57 UTC :
Today's earthquake was the strongest in Nepal since 1934.
Traffic in Kathmandu came to a standstill as thousands of terrified residents ran on to the streets. Mobile networks were jammed as anxious people frantically tried to call their loved ones.

UPDATE 18:09 UTC
20 people have been killed in total.

7 people have been killed in Sikkim.
5 people are reported dead in Nepal.
2 persons were reportedly killed in Nalanda and Darbhanga districts of Bihar, out of which one died in a stampede.
4 persons in total were also reported dead in Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri and Siliguri in West Bengal.
Two Army personnel were also killed in the earthquake.

More at: http://earthquake-report.com/2011/09/18/very-strong-earthquake-in-sikkim-india/