M5.4 Earthquake 277 km S of Dunhuang, China — June 16, 2026
2026-06-16 09:45:26 UTC (2 hours ago) · approx. 3:45 PM UTC+6 local
Maximum shaking intensity MMI 6.6 (very strong). Aftershock of the M6.3 mainshock.
On June 16, 2026 at 09:45 UTC, a magnitude 5.4 shallow crustal earthquake struck 277 km S of Dunhuang, China, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 37.6989°, 95.2125°. The USGS PAGER system issued a green alert level for this event, indicating no significant casualties or damage expected. This earthquake was detected by 92 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 449, placing it among routine seismic activity. The nearest populated place is Golmud (population 215,214).
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 5.4 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 2 kilotons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 3.2 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
This earthquake is part of an ongoing aftershock sequence following the magnitude 6.3 mainshock that occurred 3 hours ago 260 km SSE of Dunhuang, China. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 2 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for weeks to months as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.
Nearest Populated Places
ShakeMap — predicted shaking intensity
Modeled ground-motion intensity contoured on the Modified Mercalli scale (MMI). Computed by the USGS from the moment-tensor solution and regional ground-motion prediction equations.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey ShakeMap. View interactive ShakeMap on USGS
Population exposure (USGS PAGER)
Estimated population that experienced each level of shaking. Based on the USGS PAGER rapid impact assessment, which combines ShakeMap output with global population grids.
| Shaking intensity (MMI) | Description | Population exposed |
|---|---|---|
| MMI 3 | weak | 326,309 |
| MMI 4 | light | 11,559 |
| MMI 5 | moderate | 7,941 |
| MMI 6 | strong | 18 |
Earthquake Details
95.2125°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 5.4 earthquake near Dunhuang, China?
The magnitude 5.4 earthquake that struck 277 km S of Dunhuang, China on June 16, 2026 at 09:45 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 37.6989°, 95.2125°, which is 277 km S of Dunhuang, China. The nearest populated place is Golmud (population 215,214).
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 5.4 earthquakes can continue for days to weeks and gradually diminish over time.
Is this the same earthquake as the M6.3 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 5.4 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 6.3 mainshock that occurred earlier 260 km SSE of Dunhuang, China. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.
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: us7000stcs). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, June 16, 2026). M5.4 Earthquake 277 km S of Dunhuang, China — June 16, 2026. Retrieved June 16, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000stcs/