Brahmaputra dam active fault risk

A study by Chinese geologists, published in Sedimentary Geology and Tethyan Geology and supervised by the China — China Geological Survey, has identified an active fault line, the Paizhen Fault, beneath the construction site of China's mega hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) River in Tibet. The fault, active since the Pleistocene and as recently as 9,500 years ago, could undermine the structural stability of dams, roads, bridges, and tunnels. The researchers recommend slope reinforcement and retaining structures to mitigate risks of landslides and collapses, especially given the region's seismic activity, including the 2017 magnitude-6.9 Milin earthquake. China has previously issued safety assurances, stating the project meets highest industry standards. India and Bangladesh have raised concerns about downstream impacts. The project, with a groundbreaking ceremony attended by Premier Li Qiang in July 2025, is expected to become the world's largest hydropower station, surpassing the Three Gorges Dam.