A magnitude-4.2 earthquake shook Xiangfen County in Linfen City, northern China's Shanxi Province, at 10:13 a.m. local time on Friday, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC). The tremor occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers, with no immediate reports of casualties or significant structural damage.
Local authorities swiftly activated emergency response protocols, dispatching teams to assess infrastructure stability in affected areas. Seismologists have classified the event as a "light earthquake" typical for the region, which lies within a historically active seismic zone. Shanxi Province has experienced several moderate quakes over the past decade due to its location along the Taihang Mountain fault system.
Residents reported brief but noticeable shaking across multiple districts, with social media posts showing轻微晃动的吊灯和家具. Emergency management officials emphasized that all critical facilities, including power plants and transportation networks, remain operational.
"This event underscores the importance of China's ongoing earthquake preparedness initiatives," said a CENC spokesperson, highlighting recent investments in early warning systems and public education campaigns. The provincial government has urged residents to review emergency evacuation plans and secure heavy household items.
