Strong and shallow M6.2 earthquake hits northern China

A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the CENC as M6.2 hit northern China's Hutubi County, Changji Prefecture at 05:15 UTC (13:15 CST) on December 8, 2016. The agency is reporting a depth of 6 km (3.7 miles). USGS is reporting M5.9 at a depth of 13.7 km (8.5 miles).

According to the USGS, the epicenter was located 35.1 km (21.8 mi) SSE of Hankazi (population 0), 58.1 km (36.1 mi) SSE of Shihezi (population (572 772),83.2 km (51.7 mi) WSW of Changji (population 198 776), 104.4 km (64.9 mi) W of Ürümqi (population (3 029 372), China, and 622.9 km (387.1 mi) SW of Khovd (population 30 500), Mongolia.

There are 951 324 people living within 100 km (62 miles). About 1 100 are living within 10 km.

USGS issued a green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.

Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are highly vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though some resistant structures exist.

Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking

Featured image credit: USGS