Xinjiang [China], December 4 (ANI): An earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale shook Xinjiang on Thursday, according to the National Center for Seismology (NCS). The quake struck at a shallow depth of 10 km, increasing the risk of aftershocks.
In a post on X, the NCS reported, “EQ of M: 6.2, On: 04/12/2025 13:14:07 IST, Lat: 41.10 N, Long: 78.61 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Xinjiang, China.”
Earlier, on December 2, the region experienced another tremor of magnitude 3.9 at the same depth. Shallow earthquakes are typically more hazardous than deeper ones, as seismic waves reach the surface more quickly, resulting in stronger shaking and greater potential damage to structures and human casualties.
China’s location between the circum-Pacific and circum-Indian seismic belts makes it highly susceptible to earthquakes. The region is squeezed by the Pacific, Indian, and Philippine plates, creating well-developed seismic fracture zones. Since the start of the 20th century, over 800 earthquakes of magnitude 6 or higher have struck China. Earthquakes have affected almost all provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions, with the exception of Guizhou, Zhejiang, and Hong Kong.
According to the Science Museums of China, more than 550,000 people have died in earthquakes in China since 1900, accounting for 53 per cent of total global earthquake fatalities. Since 1949, over 100 destructive earthquakes have occurred across the country, claiming more than 270,000 lives, representing 54 per cent of deaths caused by natural disasters in China.
The most recent earthquake-affected districts cover around 300,000 square kilometers, destroying more than 7 million rooms. Experts emphasize that earthquakes and other natural disasters remain a major challenge for China even during peacetime. (ANI)
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