Recent earthquakes in China
China experiences major earthquakes both along its western margins, where the Indian Plate collides with Eurasia to raise the Tibetan Plateau, and within its interior on reactivated intraplate faults. This makes destructive earthquakes possible far from any plate boundary. The 1976 Tangshan earthquake (M7.6) killed roughly 250,000 people, and the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake (M7.9) devastated Sichuan. In the past 24 hours, China has recorded no earthquakes above the reporting threshold.
Counts include M2.5+ events — the smallest size USGS reports consistently worldwide.
Recent earthquakes
| Magnitude | Time (UTC) | Depth | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| M4.7 | Oct 25, 22:01 UTC | 10 km | 170 km ENE of Nagqu, China |
| M4.5 | Oct 25, 16:46 UTC | 10 km | 203 km ENE of Nagqu, China |
| M5.9 | Oct 25, 11:25 UTC | 7 km | 218 km ENE of Nagqu, China |
| M5.1 | Oct 25, 11:24 UTC | 10 km | 199 km ENE of Nagqu, China |
| M4.3 | Oct 24, 19:34 UTC | 10 km | 71 km SW of Rikaze, China |
| M4.6 | Oct 24, 13:26 UTC | 10 km | 195 km NE of Nagqu, China |
| M4.4 | Oct 24, 10:16 UTC | 103 km | 76 km S of Mawlaik, Burma (Myanmar) |
| M5.3 | Oct 24, 08:39 UTC | 10 km | 223 km ENE of Nagqu, China |
| M4.9 | Oct 24, 00:07 UTC | 10 km | 209 km ENE of Nagqu, China |
| M4.3 | Oct 23, 22:39 UTC | 10 km | 210 km NE of Nagqu, China |
| M4.8 | Oct 23, 20:37 UTC | 10 km | 209 km ENE of Nagqu, China |
| M4.2 | Oct 23, 19:31 UTC | 10 km | 37 km ESE of Sainyabuli, Laos |
| M4.6 | Oct 23, 17:06 UTC | 117 km | 91 km ESE of Tuensang, India |
| M4.5 | Oct 23, 14:41 UTC | 10 km | 233 km ENE of Nagqu, China |
| M4.7 | Oct 23, 14:14 UTC | 10 km | 215 km NE of Nagqu, China |
| M4.2 | Oct 23, 02:53 UTC | 10 km | 184 km ENE of Nagqu, China |
| M4.5 | Oct 23, 02:17 UTC | 10 km | 18 km NNW of Yongning, China |
| M4.1 | Oct 23, 00:35 UTC | 10 km | 207 km ENE of Nagqu, China |
| M4.4 | Oct 23, 00:24 UTC | 10 km | 202 km NE of Nagqu, China |
| M5.0 | Oct 22, 18:06 UTC | 10 km | 207 km ENE of Nagqu, China |
| M4.7 | Oct 22, 16:57 UTC | 10 km | 190 km ENE of Nagqu, China |
| M4.5 | Oct 22, 16:50 UTC | 10 km | 203 km ENE of Nagqu, China |
| M4.6 | Oct 22, 16:45 UTC | 10 km | 193 km NE of Nagqu, China |
| M4.9 | Oct 22, 16:21 UTC | 10 km | 210 km ENE of Nagqu, China |
| M4.3 | Oct 22, 15:57 UTC | 10 km | 219 km ENE of Nagqu, China |
Notable recent activity
A major M7.0 earthquake struck 191 km ENE of Nagqu, China at 14:33 UTC on Oct 22 at a depth of 18 km.
A moderate M5.9 earthquake struck 218 km ENE of Nagqu, China at 11:25 UTC on Oct 25 at a depth of 7 km.
A moderate M5.3 earthquake struck 223 km ENE of Nagqu, China at 08:39 UTC on Oct 24 at a depth of 10 km.
Frequently asked questions
Why does China have earthquakes?
In western China, the collision of the Indian Plate with Eurasia drives intense faulting across Tibet, Xinjiang, and Sichuan. Elsewhere, ancient faults within the continent reactivate, producing damaging intraplate earthquakes in regions such as North China.
How deadly have China's earthquakes been?
China has suffered some of history's deadliest earthquakes, including the 1556 Shaanxi earthquake, which killed an estimated 830,000 people — the highest death toll of any known earthquake. Dense populations and vulnerable housing have contributed to high tolls.
What was the biggest recent earthquake in China?
The May 12, 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in Sichuan, magnitude 7.9, killed about 87,000 people. The 1976 Tangshan earthquake (M7.6) killed roughly 250,000 and is among the deadliest of the 20th century.
Nearby regions
Live data from the USGS earthquake feeds. Magnitudes and depths are automated readings and may be revised. Not for emergency use.