A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Wushi County in Aksu Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on Tuesday, prompting experts to warn of potential aftershocks in the coming days.
Han Yanyan, a senior engineer at the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC), explained that the seismic event is likely to be a mainshock-aftershock sequence. “Based on comprehensive analysis of regional tectonic characteristics, historical seismic activity levels, sequence characteristics, and geophysical observations, we anticipate a series of smaller aftershocks around the epicenter,” Han said.
As of 8 a.m. on Tuesday, the CENC had recorded 40 earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or above, with the largest aftershock measuring magnitude 5.3. Han noted that strong aftershocks are possible in the following days, advising residents to remain vigilant.
The Tianshan seismic zone, where the earthquake occurred, is a geologically active area in Central Asia. Bounded by the Pamir Plateau and Tarim Basin to the south and the Kazakh Platform and Junggar Basin to the north, it has experienced strong tectonic movements since the Cenozoic Era due to the Indian Plate’s continuous collision and compression against the Eurasian Plate. On average, earthquakes of magnitude 7.0 or above occur in this region every seven years, including a magnitude 7.2 earthquake in neighboring Tajikistan on February 23, 2023.
Tuesday’s earthquake, classified as shallow with a focal depth of 22 kilometers, was felt strongly across various cities and prefectures in Xinjiang, including Aksu, Artux, Kashgar, Ili, Korla, and Karamay. Fortunately, the population within 20 kilometers of the epicenter is extremely sparse, reducing the potential impact on communities.
Local authorities are closely monitoring the situation and have mobilized resources to assess any damage. Residents are encouraged to stay informed through official channels and follow safety guidelines during aftershocks.
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Aftershocks expected after M7.1 earthquake hits NW China's Xinjiang
cgtn.com
