Country profile · USGS ComCat
Earthquakes in China
China has catalogued 4,994 M4+ earthquakes since 2005 (ranked 13th of 187 countries), with the strongest reaching magnitude M8.0.
China ranks 13th of 187 countries by catalogued seismic activity - a highly seismically active country, averaging about 238 M4+ events a year alongside 273 significant M6+ earthquakes since 1900. Its M6+ record runs from 1902 to 2026, peaking in 1976.
- 4,994
- M4+ events (since 2005)
- 273
- Major M6+ (since 1900)
- M8.0
- Strongest
- ~238
- M4+ per year
The verdict
China is among the more seismically active places worldwide, with 4,994 M4+ earthquakes logged since 2005 and 273 major M6+ events since 1900, the strongest reaching magnitude 8.0.
- 1976
- busiest year (8 major events)
- 30 km
- average recorded event depth
- 98%
- of events are shallow (<70 km, the most damaging kind)
Average catalogued magnitude is 4.5 - most events are moderate M4-5 tremors that are felt but rarely cause damage. On the M4+ activity ladder Solomon Islands sits immediately above at 6,147 events and Peru sits immediately below at 4,621.
ComCat magnitude tape
Event tape CHINA · China M4+ · 13th/187
China · 4,994 M4+ · max M8.0 · 273 M6+
- STRIP 4,994
- BOOK 13th/187
- RANK M8.0
- MAX 273
- M6 near Solomon Islands
- DEPTH 98% shallow
Stamps derive from this country's USGS ComCat row (M4+ book, rank, peak magnitude, M6+ record, ladder neighbour, depth/peak year), not a hazard forecast. PlainQuake is informational only - not professional advice and not a substitute for official USGS guidance. See our disclaimer. Verify with USGS ComCat → · Read with methodology → · How earthquakes are measured → · Reading earthquake data → · All country catalog rows → · Countries ranked →
Observed impact record
What ComCat observed after earthquakes in China
USGS recorded Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) for 211 events in this catalogued record; their average observed intensity was MMI 7.2. These are only events with an observation, not an estimate of future shaking or a safety rating.
- MMI observations
- 211
- Average observed MMI
- 7.2
- PAGER alerts / tsunami flags
- 16 / 0
Source: USGS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat) GeoJSON impact fields. Missing MMI, alert, and tsunami values remain unreported rather than being treated as zero.
Where China sits in the catalog
Rank 13th of 187 tracked countries (93th percentile by M4+ count since 2005). On the M4+ activity ladder Solomon Islands sits immediately above at 6,147 events and Peru sits immediately below at 4,621.
- Solomon Islands - next more active (6,147 M4+)
- Peru - next less active (4,621 M4+)
China's M4+ count vs. every tracked country
Total catalogued M4+ events since 2005, USGS ComCat
4,994 Top 7% higher than 93% of 187 countries
Each bar is a 500-wide band; taller bars hold more countries. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source USGS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat) · 2005-present
Major (M6+) earthquakes in China by year
Count of significant (magnitude 6.0+) events catalogued each year
- 2010
2010: 2 major (M6+) events
2
- 2012
2012: 2 major (M6+) events
2
- 2013 1
2013: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2014
2014: 3 major (M6+) events
3
- 2015 1
2015: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2016 1
2016: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2017
2017: 2 major (M6+) events
2
- 2020
2020: 2 major (M6+) events
2
- 2021
2021: 2 major (M6+) events
2
- 2022
2022: 2 major (M6+) events
2
- 2024 1
2024: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2026 1
2026: 1 major (M6+) events
1
What this shows China's most active year for major earthquakes was 1976 (8 M6+ events). Major-quake counts are irregular, they track the episodic release of tectonic stress, not a smooth trend.
31 of 4,994 catalogued M4+ events since 2005 reached M6.0 or higher.
Magnitude distribution of major events
Breakdown of the 273 significant (M6+) earthquakes on record for China.
M7.0-7.9
39
14.3%
M6.0-6.9
234
85.7%
Depth of major earthquakes
Hypocentral depth of the 273 M6+ events, shallow quakes shake the surface hardest. Average depth: 30 km.
Shallow (<70 km)
267
97.8% of events
Intermediate (70–300 km)
0
0.0% of events
Deep (>300 km)
6
2.2% of events
Strongest earthquakes in China
The 10 most powerful events on record (USGS, since 1900).
| Mag | Location | Depth | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.0 | 95 km WSW of Shihezi, China | 15.0 km | Dec 22, 1906 |
| 7.9 | 125 km E of Baiyin, China | 15.0 km | Dec 16, 1920 |
| 7.9 | 58 km W of Tianpeng, China | 19.0 km | May 12, 2008 |
| 7.9 | 172 km SE of Altay, China | 10.0 km | Aug 10, 1931 |
| 7.8 | 108 km WSW of Laojunmiao, China | 15.0 km | Dec 25, 1932 |
| 7.8 | Southern Qinghai, China | 15.0 km | Jan 7, 1937 |
| 7.8 | Southern Qinghai, China | 10.0 km | Nov 14, 2001 |
| 7.7 | 145 km NW of Jinghong, China | 17.8 km | Nov 6, 1988 |
| 7.7 | 89 km WSW of Nagqu, China | 30.0 km | Nov 18, 1951 |
| 7.7 | 31 km SSW of Wuwei, China | 15.0 km | May 22, 1927 |
Significant earthquake record (273 events)
Every catalogued magnitude-6.0-and-above earthquake in China since 1900, most recent first.
| Mag | Location | Depth | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.3 | 262 km SSE of Dunhuang, China | 10.0 km | Jun 16, 2026 |
| 7.0 | 128 km WNW of Aykol, China | 13.0 km | Jan 22, 2024 |
| 6.6 | 44 km SE of Kangding, China | 12.0 km | Sep 5, 2022 |
| 6.6 | northern Qinghai, China | 13.0 km | Jan 7, 2022 |
| 7.3 | Southern Qinghai, China | 10.0 km | May 21, 2021 |
| 6.1 | 25 km NW of Dali, China | 9.0 km | May 21, 2021 |
| 6.3 | 278 km SE of Hotan, China | 10.0 km | Jun 25, 2020 |
| 6.0 | 104 km ENE of Kashgar, China | 5.5 km | Jan 19, 2020 |
| 6.3 | 102 km NNW of Xinyuan, China | 20.0 km | Aug 8, 2017 |
| 6.5 | 168 km SW of Mawu, China | 9.0 km | Aug 8, 2017 |
| 6.0 | 58 km SSE of Shihezi, China | 17.6 km | Dec 8, 2016 |
| 6.4 | 57 km WNW of Zangguy, China | 20.0 km | Jul 3, 2015 |
| 6.1 | 125 km SW of Jianshui, China | 8.5 km | Oct 7, 2014 |
| 6.2 | 33 km WSW of Zhaotong, China | 12.0 km | Aug 3, 2014 |
| 6.9 | 272 km ESE of Hotan, China | 10.0 km | Feb 12, 2014 |
| 6.6 | 56 km WSW of Linqiong, China | 14.0 km | Apr 20, 2013 |
| 6.2 | 281 km SE of Hotan, China | 13.0 km | Aug 12, 2012 |
| 6.3 | 117 km E of Xinyuan, China | 18.0 km | Jun 29, 2012 |
| 6.1 | 239 km NNW of Qamdo, China | 7.6 km | Apr 14, 2010 |
| 6.9 | 233 km NNW of Qamdo, China | 17.0 km | Apr 13, 2010 |
| 6.3 | 294 km SW of Laojunmiao, China | 13.0 km | Aug 28, 2009 |
| 6.3 | northern Qinghai, China | 19.0 km | Nov 10, 2008 |
| 6.3 | 39 km WSW of Dêqên, China | 12.0 km | Oct 6, 2008 |
| 6.0 | Sichuan-Yunnan border region, China | 11.0 km | Aug 30, 2008 |
| 6.0 | 46 km NW of Guangyuan, China | 6.0 km | Aug 5, 2008 |
| 6.1 | 39 km WNW of Guangyuan, China | 18.0 km | May 25, 2008 |
| 6.1 | 39 km NW of Tianpeng, China | 10.0 km | May 12, 2008 |
| 7.9 | 58 km W of Tianpeng, China | 19.0 km | May 12, 2008 |
| 7.2 | 226 km SE of Hotan, China | 10.0 km | Mar 20, 2008 |
| 6.1 | 119 km NNE of Jinghong, China | 5.0 km | Jun 2, 2007 |
| 6.1 | 92 km NW of Aksu, China | 22.0 km | Feb 14, 2005 |
| 6.0 | 75 km SSW of Dadukou, China | 10.0 km | Jul 21, 2003 |
| 6.4 | 278 km SSW of Laojunmiao, China | 14.0 km | Apr 17, 2003 |
| 6.3 | 107 km E of Kashgar, China | 11.0 km | Feb 24, 2003 |
| 6.4 | 21 km ENE of Chaihe, China | 586.3 km | Sep 15, 2002 |
| 7.3 | 50 km SW of Dongning, China | 566.0 km | Jun 28, 2002 |
| 7.8 | Southern Qinghai, China | 10.0 km | Nov 14, 2001 |
| 6.1 | 257 km WSW of Xining, China | 10.0 km | Sep 12, 2000 |
| 7.1 | 57 km ENE of Wangqing, China | 565.7 km | Apr 8, 1999 |
| 6.4 | 118 km E of Kashgar, China | 33.0 km | Aug 27, 1998 |
| 6.2 | 82 km E of Kashgar, China | 15.0 km | Apr 11, 1997 |
| 6.0 | 87 km E of Kashgar, China | 33.0 km | Apr 6, 1997 |
| 6.0 | 36 km NW of Baotou, China | 26.0 km | May 3, 1996 |
| 6.3 | 83 km NE of Kashgar, China | 28.2 km | Mar 19, 1996 |
| 6.6 | 47 km N of Lijiang, China | 11.1 km | Feb 3, 1996 |
| 6.2 | 79 km SE of Dadukou, China | 10.0 km | Oct 23, 1995 |
| 6.8 | 158 km W of Jinghong, China | 12.5 km | Jul 11, 1995 |
| 6.1 | southern Xinjiang, China | 14.1 km | Oct 2, 1993 |
| 6.1 | 68 km SW of Dêqên, China | 14.1 km | Jul 30, 1992 |
| 6.0 | 118 km WSW of Aykol, China | 20.6 km | Feb 25, 1991 |
| 6.3 | 141 km WSW of Xining, China | 9.6 km | Apr 26, 1990 |
| 6.5 | 153 km WSW of Xining, China | 8.1 km | Apr 26, 1990 |
| 6.3 | 148 km WSW of Xining, China | 10.0 km | Apr 26, 1990 |
| 6.0 | 93 km W of Kashgar, China | 33.0 km | Apr 17, 1990 |
| 6.0 | northern Qinghai, China | 12.2 km | Jan 14, 1990 |
| 6.1 | 157 km WNW of Tianpeng, China | 14.6 km | Sep 22, 1989 |
| 6.2 | 239 km W of Kangding, China | 14.0 km | May 3, 1989 |
| 6.1 | 244 km W of Kangding, China | 7.7 km | Apr 25, 1989 |
| 6.4 | 231 km SE of Qamdo, China | 13.3 km | Apr 15, 1989 |
| 6.1 | 126 km NW of Jinghong, China | 14.5 km | Nov 30, 1988 |
| 7.7 | 145 km NW of Jinghong, China | 17.8 km | Nov 6, 1988 |
| 6.2 | Southern Qinghai, China | 7.6 km | Nov 5, 1988 |
| 6.2 | 89 km WNW of Aksu, China | 28.9 km | Jan 24, 1987 |
| 6.0 | 102 km WSW of Wuwei, China | 8.0 km | Aug 26, 1986 |
| 6.4 | Southern Qinghai, China | 33.0 km | Aug 20, 1986 |
| 6.1 | 263 km NE of Saga, China | 33.0 km | Jun 20, 1986 |
| 6.2 | 51 km WSW of Kashgar, China | 15.3 km | Sep 11, 1985 |
| 7.0 | 66 km W of Kashgar, China | 6.8 km | Aug 23, 1985 |
| 6.0 | 51 km NE of Juegang, China | 18.2 km | May 21, 1984 |
| 6.1 | 35 km WNW of Dongning, China | 557.9 km | Oct 8, 1983 |
| 6.2 | 90 km NW of Kashgar, China | 16.1 km | Feb 13, 1983 |
| 6.0 | 173 km NE of Burang, China | 33.0 km | Jan 23, 1982 |
| 6.5 | 185 km NNE of Burang, China | 33.0 km | Jan 23, 1982 |
| 6.0 | Southern Qinghai, China | 10.0 km | Jun 9, 1981 |
| 6.8 | 131 km NW of Kangding, China | 33.0 km | Jan 23, 1981 |
| 6.2 | 142 km NNW of Rikaze, China | 33.0 km | Feb 22, 1980 |
| 6.2 | 124 km S of Jianshui, China | 33.0 km | Mar 15, 1979 |
| 6.3 | Xinjiang-Qinghai border region, China | 27.0 km | Jan 1, 1977 |
| 6.3 | 5 km ENE of Gaojingzhuang, China | 15.0 km | Nov 15, 1976 |
| 6.5 | 115 km NE of Lijiang, China | 33.0 km | Nov 6, 1976 |
| 6.7 | 94 km NNW of Jiangyou, China | 33.0 km | Aug 23, 1976 |
| 6.4 | 99 km NNW of Jiangyou, China | 33.0 km | Aug 21, 1976 |
| 6.9 | 121 km NNW of Jiangyou, China | 16.0 km | Aug 16, 1976 |
| 7.4 | 6 km SW of Linxi, China | 26.0 km | Jul 28, 1976 |
| 7.5 | 17 km NE of Penguanzhuang, China | 23.0 km | Jul 27, 1976 |
| 6.9 | 169 km SW of Dali, China | 8.0 km | May 29, 1976 |
| 6.1 | 196 km NNE of Nagqu, China | 33.0 km | May 5, 1975 |
| 6.3 | 142 km S of Hotan, China | 33.0 km | Apr 28, 1975 |
| 7.0 | 6 km E of Dashiqiao, China | 33.0 km | Feb 4, 1975 |
| 6.0 | 70 km SSW of Kangding, China | 33.0 km | Jan 15, 1975 |
| 6.8 | 72 km WSW of Xunchang, China | 11.0 km | May 10, 1974 |
| 6.4 | 123 km NNE of Jinghong, China | 33.0 km | Aug 16, 1973 |
| 6.1 | 151 km NNW of Jiangyou, China | 33.0 km | Aug 11, 1973 |
| 7.4 | 203 km NW of Kangding, China | 33.0 km | Feb 6, 1973 |
| 6.2 | 38 km NNW of Tumxuk, China | 13.5 km | Jan 15, 1972 |
| 6.1 | 11 km NNW of Simao, China | 23.2 km | Sep 14, 1971 |
| 6.0 | 22 km NE of Simao, China | 10.0 km | Apr 28, 1971 |
| 6.0 | 271 km SW of Shaliuhe, China | 10.0 km | Mar 24, 1971 |
| 6.1 | 92 km WNW of Aksu, China | 9.5 km | Mar 23, 1971 |
| 6.0 | 111 km W of Tumxuk, China | 14.8 km | Jul 29, 1970 |
Showing the first 100 of 273 significant events.
Other countries in this catalog sample
A China-keyed shuffle of the full 186-country roster, not the six nearest by count.
Peak-magnitude sample from the same roster
A second China-keyed shuffle of countries with a recorded max magnitude.
Showing 6 of 186 countries with a recorded max magnitude.
According to the US Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program, PlainQuake's figures are rendered directly from 317,293 recorded M4+ earthquakes and 14,444 significant M6+ events (USGS ComCat, 2005-present) -- no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026-08-26.