A substantial earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale struck northwestern China’s Xinjiang region on Thursday afternoon, according to official reports from the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC). The seismic event occurred at precisely 3:44 PM local time near Akqi county, an area adjacent to the mountainous border between China and Kyrgyzstan.
Seismological data indicates the tremor originated at a relatively shallow depth of approximately 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), potentially amplifying ground shaking and surface impact across the affected region. The epicenter’s proximity to international borders suggests possible felt effects in neighboring Central Asian territories.
The timing of the quake during daylight hours likely facilitated immediate emergency response coordination, though the remote, mountainous terrain presents significant challenges for damage assessment and potential rescue operations. Earthquake preparedness in this seismically active region has been a priority for Chinese authorities, who maintain extensive monitoring systems across Xinjiang’s vast territory.
Historical seismic activity in this border region between the Tien Shan and Pamir mountain ranges indicates moderate to strong earthquakes occur with some frequency, though events exceeding magnitude 6 remain relatively uncommon. The area’s sparse population density may help mitigate potential casualties and structural damage.
Chinese seismic authorities continue to monitor aftershock potential while coordinating with local emergency management teams to assess possible impacts on infrastructure and communities throughout the affected area.