M 5.0 Moderate Earthquake Strikes Near Shihezi, China
A magnitude 5.0 earthquake occurred approximately 76 kilometers south-southeast of Shihezi, China, on February 24, 2026. The shallow quake was recorded at a depth of 10 kilometers.
What Happened
A moderate earthquake with a magnitude of 5.0 (mb) was recorded on February 24, 2026, at 10:55 UTC. The seismic event occurred approximately 76 km south-southeast of Shihezi, China. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake originated at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers.
Location Details
The earthquake’s epicenter was located at coordinates 43.6823°N and 86.4613°E. This position places the event in the Xinjiang region of China, about 76 kilometers from the city of Shihezi. The depth of 10 kilometers is classified as shallow; shallow earthquakes (less than 20km) are often more strongly felt at the surface than deeper events of the same magnitude.
Impact Assessment
At this time, there are no official felt reports associated with this event in the source data. There is no tsunami advisory, watch, or warning in effect. No specific alert level color or PAGER assessment was provided in the initial report.
What You Should Know
A magnitude 5.0 earthquake is considered a “moderate earthquake” and is capable of causing damage to poorly constructed buildings, though well-built structures typically sustain little to no damage. Residents in the region should remain aware of the possibility of aftershocks, which are common following an event of this size. In the event of shaking, the standard safety procedure is to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On.”
Source
Information for this report was provided by the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.
Source: USGS Official Notice