According to the National Center for Seismology (NCS), a mild earthquake of magnitude 3.9 occurred in the Leh region of Ladakh on Friday, March 27, 2026. The shock was felt at **08:31:09 IST** at a depth of **10 km** below the surface. Its epicenter was located at **36.692°N latitude** and **74.382°E longitude**.
This was the first of several seismic events that shook the region in a short period of time. Reports suggest that at least two to three tremors were felt in Leh and surrounding parts of Ladakh on the same morning, one after the other. Later, another earthquake of approximately **4.7–4.8 magnitude** was recorded at a depth of approximately **28–44 km** in the same area. There are no reports of any casualties or major damage so far, as the initial shock was mild and is a normal occurrence for the seismically active Himalayan belt.
**Classification of depth of earthquake**
Earthquakes can occur at varying depths—from near the surface to a depth of approximately **700 km**. **According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS)** and standard seismological methods, earthquakes are classified into three main categories based on their focal depth:
– **Shallow-focus earthquakes**: 0–70 km (most common and often cause more vibration at the surface)
– **Intermediate-focus earthquakes**: 70–300 km
– **Deep-focus earthquakes**: 300–700 km
The 3.9 magnitude earthquake that hit Leh was a **shallow-centred earthquake** (depth of 10 km); Compared to deep earthquakes of similar intensity, such earthquakes usually produce more intense vibrations on the ground near their epicenter. When accurate measurements are difficult to make, a depth of 10 km is often used as a default or “set” value.
Ladakh is located in a highly seismic zone due to the ongoing tectonic collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates. Although mild tremors are relatively common here, residents are advised to remain alert and follow safety protocols issued by local authorities and the NCS. Real-time monitoring is ongoing, and if more strong aftershocks occur, further information will be released.
There have been no immediate reports of any structural damage or injuries so far from the affected areas.
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