2026 Liuzhou earthquakes

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2026 Liuzhou earthquakes
USGS ShakeMap of the second mainshock
UTC time2026-05-17 16:21:06
 2026-05-18 13:44:26
USGS-ANSSComCat
 ComCat
Local dateMay 18, 2026 (2026-05-18)
Local time00:21:06 CST
 21:44:26 CST
MagnitudeMw 5.0–5.2
 Mw 5.1–5.2
Depth10.0 km (6.2 mi)
Epicenter24°23′N 109°16′E / 24.38°N 109.26°E / 24.38; 109.26
24°22′N 109°16′E / 24.37°N 109.26°E / 24.37; 109.26
FaultBaipeng fault
TypeReverse
Areas affectedLiuzhou, Guangxi, China
Total damage987 homes and buildings severely damaged or destroyed
Max. intensityCSIS VII (MMI VII)
Aftershocks59+
Casualties2 deaths, 6 injuries

On 18 May 2026, two doublet earthquakes measuring Mww 5.0 and 5.1 (both measuring 5.2 according to the China Earthquake Administration) struck Liuzhou, Guangxi, China.[1][2] Two people were killed, six others were injured and nearly 1,000 structures were badly damaged or destroyed by both events.

Earthquakes

Both earthquakes were located in Liujiang District of Liuzhou, were centered only 2 km (1.2 mi) apart, and had a depth of 10 km (6.2 mi), according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).[1][2] The China Earthquake Administration (CEA) reported that both earthquakes measured Mw 5.2 and were less than 8 km (5.0 mi) deep. The quakes were the largest to strike the area in 331 years.[3] The mainshock had a maximum intensity of VII in the China seismic intensity scale (CSIS) covering an area of 2 km2, while an area of 356 km2 was covered by intensity VI. The earthquake's isoseismal pattern was oriented in a north-northeast direction, with an estimated major axis of about 27 km (17 mi) and a minor axis of about 16 km (9.9 mi).[4] According to USGS, the second mainshock had a maximum Modified Mercalli intensity (MMI) of VII (Very strong), which was felt by an estimated 9,000 people; MMI VI-VII (Strong-Very strong) was estimated in Liujiang District while MMI V (Moderate) was felt in Liuzhou's city centre.[2] Tremors were also felt in Guilin, Nanning, Guigang, Wuzhou and as far away as Hong Kong[5] and parts of northern Vietnam, including the capital Hanoi.[6] The USGS issued an orange alert for economic losses in the second mainshock, but issued a green alert for estimated fatalities.[2]

Following the first of the two mainshocks, the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC) conducted an analysis of the event and preliminarily determined that it resulted from reverse faulting. Researchers stated that the earthquakes occurred near the Hechi–Yizhou–Liucheng fault system, a thrust-dominated fault zone characterized by historically weak and infrequent seismic activity, where previous studies estimated a maximum potential earthquake magnitude of approximately 5.5. China Daily, however, citing the Guangxi Earthquake Agency, reported that the quake occurred as a result of movement of the Baipeng fault, about 3 km (1.9 mi) from the epicenter.[7] According to the CENC, only one earthquake of magnitude 5.0 or greater had occurred within 100 km (62 mi) of the epicenter since 1900. Experts later suggested that the sequence was more consistent with a "doublet earthquake swarm with foreshocks" rather than a typical earthquake swarm, as the two mainshocks occurred within the same day.[8][9]

The mainshocks were preceded by several foreshocks on 17 May, making residents more vigilant and leaving them out of danger.[10] As of 21 May, a total of 59 aftershocks had been recorded near Liuzhou.[11]

Impact

A Level III emergency response was activated.[12] A married couple were killed by a collapsing house and at least five people were injured by the first mainshock.[13][14] A 91-year old man was initially reported missing but was later rescued from the rubble of a collapsed building.[15][16] At least 16 homes were destroyed, 970 others were severely damaged,[11] sinkholes appeared and a landslide blocked a road in Liuzhou.[14][7] Over 7,000 people were displaced by the first mainshock.[5]

The second earthquake at 21:44 CST slightly injured one person, caused one house to collapse, damaged several others and triggered rockfalls.[17][18]

See also

References

  1. ANSS. "M 5.0 - 24 km NW of Liuzhou, China 2026". Comprehensive Catalog. U.S. Geological Survey.
  2. ANSS. "M 5.1 - 26 km NW of Liuzhou, China 2026". Comprehensive Catalog. U.S. Geological Survey.
  3. "两次5.2级！广西柳州发生331年来最强等级地震 官方：地下岩溶洞穴有放大作用". Scol.com.cn (in Chinese). May 18, 2026. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  4. "广西柳州5.2级震群地震烈度图发布 6度区及以上约358平方公里". Guangming Daily (in Chinese). May 20, 2026. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  5. "廣西5.2級地震造成13棟房屋倒塌 逾7千人轉移" (in Chinese). Metro Broadcasting Corporation. May 17, 2026. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
  6. "Động đất tại Trung Quốc, nhiều tỉnh miền Bắc Việt Nam rung lắc" (in Vietnamese). Tiền Phong. May 18, 2026. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  7. "Authorities investigates unusual twin quakes hitting Liuzhou". China Daily. May 19, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  8. "为什么说这次柳州地震非常罕见？". Sohu (in Chinese). May 20, 2026. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  9. "专家：广西柳州地震为逆冲型破裂". Xinhua News Agency (in Chinese). May 19, 2026. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  10. "凤凰实探柳州地震集中安置点：17日发生数次前震，民众提高警惕，强震时成功避险". Phoenix Television (in Chinese). May 19, 2026. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
  11. "广西柳州地震五大关切追踪". Xinhua News Agency (in Chinese). May 21, 2026. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
  12. "广西柳州柳南区发生5.2级地震 中国地震局启动三级应急服务响应". Sina. May 17, 2026. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
  13. "中国柳州地震酿一对夫妻罹难　居民泪诉：以前常去光顾他们家" (in Chinese). SinChew Daily. 18 May 2026. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  14. "广西柳州地震已造成58栋民房受损，引发次生地质灾害10起" (in Chinese). The Paper. May 18, 2026. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  15. "Guangxi quake rescue ends with 91-year-old found alive". China Daily. May 18, 2026. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  16. "柳州地震最後1名被困人士獲救送院" (in Chinese). TDM. May 17, 2026. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  17. "广西柳州再次发生5.2级地震 致部分房屋倒塌、墙体开裂". The Economic Observer (in Chinese). May 18, 2026. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  18. "柳州地震造成一人受伤 一间无人居住房屋倒塌" (in Chinese). China National Radio. May 18, 2026. Retrieved May 18, 2026.