Strong and shallow M6.3 earthquake hits northern Qinghai, China
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.3 hit northern Qinghai, China, at 09:06 UTC (17:06 LT) on June 16, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
Epicenter of M6.3 earthquake in Northern Qinghai, China on June 16, 2026. Credit: TW/SAM, Google
The epicenter was located 260 km (162 miles) SSE of Dunhuang (population 186 027), 295 km (184 miles) SW of Laojunmiao (population 84 769), 329 km (204 miles) SW of Jiayuguan (population 231 853), 339 km (211 miles) SW of Jiuquan (population 428 346), and 580 km (360 miles) WNW of Xining (population 1 677 177), China.
Landslides and liquefaction triggered by this earthquake are estimated to be limited in number and/or spatial extent.
The USGS registered two aftershocks by 10:38 UTC — M5.2 at 09:42 UTC and M5.3 at 09:45. Both at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles).
China Earthquake Administration has activated a Level III emergency response.
CCTV reported, citing local departments, that shaking was clearly felt in Haixi, but that no casualties or property-loss reports had been received thus far.
This region of China is characterized by remote desert and mountain terrains.
References:
1 M6.3 earthquake northern Qinghai, China – USGS – June 16, 2026
2 M6.3 earthquake northern Qinghai, China – EMSC – June 16, 2026
Teo Blašković founded The Watchers in 2011 and edited it until 2026, covering seismic and volcanic activity, extreme weather, space weather and near-Earth objects. Articles on this page are his archive.
