A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck a remote region of northern Tibet, China, on Thursday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The earthquake occurred at approximately 7:33 a.m. Pacific time, or 10:33 p.m. local time, about 119 miles east-northeast of Nagqu.

The USGS reported that the earthquake originated about 11 miles beneath the Earth’s surface.

The alerts indicate that significant damage is possible and that casualties could occur. They are estimates based on earthquake data, population exposure, and building vulnerability, rather than confirmed reports of damage or deaths.

USGS shaking estimates indicated that thousands of people could have experienced severe or very strong shaking, with tens of thousands more exposed to strong shaking.

A second earthquake measuring magnitude 5.2 was recorded approximately 38 minutes later, about 125 miles east-northeast of Nagqu. That earthquake occurred at a depth of about 6 miles