The deadly 6.8 magnitude earthquake that jolted Dingri county of Shigatse in the Xizang autonomous region on Tuesday happened following a northward compression from the Indian Ocean plate and crustal movement, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center.

The quake's epicenter is located in the Lhasa block in the southern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the center stated. It happened because of extensional rupture and represented an energy release event within the Lhasa block, it said.

Since 1950, 21 earthquakes above magnitude 6 have happened in the Lhasa block, with a maximum magnitude of 6.9, it said.

It said it's possible that aftershocks will hit the epicenter of Tuesday's jolt and the surrounding areas, the center stated.

The quake occurred at 9:05 am on Tuesday. Its epicenter was in the county's Tsogo township, where approximately 6,900 people live within a 20-kilometer radius.

A total of 126 people have been confirmed dead and 188 others injured as of 10 am Wednesday, according to local authorities.

houliqiang@chinadaily.com.cn