A shallow earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale struck a rural, mountainous area in China’s central Qinghai province early Wednesday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
The tremor occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers, centered approximately 269 kilometers southeast of Dunhuang. While the USGS recorded the magnitude at 5.9, China’s official China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC) reported the intensity at 5.6, as noted by Xinhua.
There have been no immediate reports of significant damage or casualties following the seismic event. The region remains sparsely populated due to its rugged terrain.
This incident follows a series of recent seismic activities across Asia, including a 5.5-magnitude quake in Sichuan and a 5.3-magnitude tremor in northwestern China. Other notable regional events include a 5.2-magnitude aftershock in Masbate and a deadly earthquake in Afghanistan that resulted in eight fatalities in Kabul.
Beyond geological events, the region has faced other recent challenges, including reports of fire incidents involving tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. The report also notes that earthquake hits Afghanistan, Pakistan; 8 dead in Kabul.