BREAKING: 6.0 earthquake shook the Xinjiang region of China

A powerful earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale hit China's Xinjiang region on Thursday, December 4, 2025, near Akqi County, close to the border with Kyrgyzstan. The quake struck at 3:44 PM local time (1:14 PM IST) and seismic monitoring of the earthquake in its initial stages reported variations in magnitude; however, authorities have confirmed it as 6.0. No major damage or casualties have been reported so far, and authorities continue to monitor the situation.

What was the Depth of the Earthquake in China's Xinjiang?

Earthquakes with shallow focal depths, like this one at 10 km, are generally more dangerous than deeper quakes. The seismic waves reach the surface much more strongly, increasing the potential for destruction. Xinjiang and its neighbourhood are located around major fault lines, making the area geologically very risky with frequent seismic activities.

China Earthquake: Details

• It struck on December 4, 2025, at 3:44 PM local time, which corresponds to 0744 GMT.
• Its magnitude measured 6.0, but some early instruments originally recorded it as 5.8.
• The quake occurred at a shallow depth of about 10 km, making it potentially more destructive.
• The epicentre was located in the Xinjiang region near Akqi County, close to the Kyrgyzstan border.
• So far, no reports of damage or casualties have been made public.
• In recent months, this area has witnessed several tremors that measured between 4.4 and 4.7 magnitude.
• It lies on the active tectonic fault lines, and thus, Xinjiang falls into a high geological risk zone with frequent earthquakes.

Recent Earthquake Activity in Xinjiang

The region has felt several tremors over the past few months:

• November 6, 2025: Magnitude 4.7 earthquake (depth ∼ 220 km).
• November 17, 2025: Magnitude 4.4 earthquake at a shallow depth of 10 km.

These repeating earthquakes are a sign of underlying stress accumulation along the fault systems of the region. The newest 6.0 could be a release of built-up energy or the precursor to further aftershocks.