Shallow M5.6 earthquake hits southwest China’s Xizang region
A shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M5.6 hit southwest China’s Xizang autonomous region at 21:11 UTC on May 11, 2025 (05:11 local time on May 12). The agency is reporting a depth of 9 km (6 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
Image credit: TW/SAM, Google
The epicenter was located 124 km (77 miles) W of Rikaze (population 80 000), Tibet, China, and 191 km (118 miles) NNE of Khā̃dbāri̇̄ (population 22 903), Nepal.
The USGS issued a Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and a Yellow alert for economic losses. While there is a low likelihood of casualties, some damage is possible and the impact should be relatively localized. Estimated economic losses are less than 1% of GDP of China. Past events with this alert level have required a local or regional level response.
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are highly vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though some resistant structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are adobe block and unreinforced brick with mud construction.
Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides and liquefaction that might have contributed to losses.
There are no reports of casualties.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Selected cities exposed
Regional seismicity
References:
1 M5.6 earthquake, China – USGS – May 11, 2025
2 M5.6 earthquake, China – EMSC – May 11, 2025
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