Back To Back 5.7 And 5.8 Quakes Rock Remote China Province Within 18 Minutes

Two moderate earthquakes struck China’s northwestern Qinghai province within 18 minutes on Tuesday, shaking a remote mountainous region and sending tremors across neighbouring areas, including Lanzhou city in Gansu province. No casualties, injuries or major damage were reported immediately after the quakes.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the first earthquake of magnitude 5.7 hit Qinghai at 11:16 am local time, followed by a stronger magnitude 5.8 earthquake at 11:34 am. Both earthquakes occurred at a shallow depth of around 10 kilometres, increasing the possibility of stronger shaking near the surface.

Chinese monitoring authorities said the first tremor was centred near Xinghai county, while reports indicated the epicentre was located in a sparsely populated high altitude area around 244 kilometres from Xining, the provincial capital.

Footage broadcast by state media outlet CCTV showed dust clouds rising from cliffs as the ground shook, reflecting the impact of the tremors in the rugged terrain. In Lanzhou, one of the largest cities in neighbouring Gansu province, social media videos showed lamps and household items swinging inside homes as residents felt the shaking.

Authorities said assessment teams were monitoring the situation, with no reports of collapsed buildings or casualties in the immediate aftermath. Emergency response teams remained on alert as officials checked remote areas that are difficult to access.

Qinghai, located on the Tibetan Plateau, is among China’s most earthquake-prone regions due to intense tectonic activity. The province has experienced several significant earthquakes in recent years, including a magnitude 6.3 quake in June 2026 that killed one person and injured four others.