M5.1 Earthquake 296 km NW of Nagqu, China — May 22, 2026
2026-05-22 17:16:27 UTC (2 hours ago) · approx. 11:16 PM UTC+6 local
On May 22, 2026 at 17:16 UTC, a magnitude 5.1 shallow crustal earthquake struck 296 km NW of Nagqu, China, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 33.6084°, 90.1470°. This earthquake was detected by 72 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 400, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 5.1 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 674 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 2.0 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
Earthquake Details
90.1470°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 5.1 earthquake near Nagqu, China?
The magnitude 5.1 earthquake that struck 296 km NW of Nagqu, China on May 22, 2026 at 17:16 UTC had a depth of 10.0 km. For context, this was a moderate earthquake that could be widely felt.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at 33.6084°, 90.1470°, which is 296 km NW of Nagqu, China.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 5.1 earthquakes can continue for days to weeks and gradually diminish over time.
What should I do after an earthquake?
If you were in the affected area: check yourself and others for injuries, inspect your home for damage, and be prepared for aftershocks. For detailed guidance, see our earthquake safety guide and emergency planning resources.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000szjs). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 22, 2026). M5.1 Earthquake 296 km NW of Nagqu, China — May 22, 2026. Retrieved May 22, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000szjs/