M5.0 Earthquake 73 km SSE of Shihezi, China — March 5, 2026
2026-03-05 00:15:42 UTC (2026-03-05) · approx. 6:15 AM UTC+6 local
On March 5, 2026 at 00:15 UTC, a magnitude 5.0 shallow crustal earthquake struck 73 km SSE of Shihezi, China, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 43.7236°, 86.4689°. This earthquake was detected by 129 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 385, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 5.0 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 477 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.7 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
Earthquake Details
86.4689°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 5.0 earthquake near Shihezi, China?
The magnitude 5.0 earthquake that struck 73 km SSE of Shihezi, China on March 5, 2026 at 00:15 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 43.7236°, 86.4689°, which is 73 km SSE of Shihezi, China.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 5.0 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: us7000s24t). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, March 5, 2026). M5.0 Earthquake 73 km SSE of Shihezi, China — March 5, 2026. Retrieved May 18, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000s24t/