Qinghai province earthquake strikes central China

A shallow earthquake struck China’s central Qinghai province in the early hours of August 18, 2026. The US Geological Survey reported the quake reached a magnitude of 5.9, while the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC) registered the tremor at a magnitude of 5.6.

The earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers in a mountainous rural area, located approximately 269 kilometers southeast of Dunhuang. The seismic event was felt in the Haixi Prefecture, a region known for high geological activity.

While the magnitude was significant enough to be clearly felt by the local population, there have been no immediate official reports of casualties or major infrastructure damage. Local authorities have activated emergency protocols to assess potential impacts and monitor for aftershocks.