The
1975 Kinnaur earthquake occurred in the early afternoon (local time) (08:02
UTC) of 19 January. 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 in
Himachal Pradesh, in northern
India. Its epicentre was in
Kinnaur district in the southeastern part of Himachal Pradesh and 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.