A magnitude-5.0 earthquake struck Eryuan County in China's Yunnan Province early Thursday, shaking residents awake and triggering emergency response measures. The tremor occurred at 4:31 a.m. Beijing Time at a shallow depth of 10 km, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).
The quake's epicenter was located in the Bai Autonomous Prefecture of Dali, with coordinates recorded at 26.26 degrees north latitude and 100.03 degrees east longitude. Strong shaking was reported across Eryuan County, Dali City, and Heqing County, though no immediate casualties or structural damage have been confirmed.
Local authorities swiftly activated emergency protocols following the seismic event. Teams from affected townships are currently conducting damage assessments and coordinating relief efforts. Earthquakes of this magnitude typically cause noticeable shaking of indoor items and rattling noises, according to the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale.
Yunnan Province, situated along the seismically active Himalayan tectonic belt, experiences frequent moderate earthquakes. The region has implemented modern earthquake-resistant building codes following previous seismic events. Experts note that Thursday's tremor serves as a reminder of the importance of emergency preparedness in earthquake-prone zones.
