Earthquakes in China — December 2024
8 earthquakes were recorded in China during December 2024, an average of 0.3 per day.
8 reached magnitude 4 or above and 0 reached magnitude 5 or above. The average focal depth was 17 km.
The month's largest event in China was a magnitude 4.5 earthquake near Rabang, China on 08 December 2024 at 18:12 UTC. A magnitude 4.5 earthquake radiates roughly 85 tons of TNT equivalent in seismic energy.
100% of events here are shallow (under 70 km), 0% intermediate (70–300 km) and 0% deep-focus (over 300 km). Almost everything here is crustal. That is characteristic of transform faulting or continental deformation rather than subduction — and it means shaking at the surface is strong for the magnitudes involved.
By band, the catalogue holds 8 in the magnitude 4 range.
Activity peaked on 17 December, when 2 events were recorded.
The month's largest events were M4.5 near Rabang, China on 08 December at 10 km; M4.5 near Dezhing Township, China on 07 December at 39 km; M4.4 near 乌鲁木齐, China on 17 December at 10 km.
This month also holds the strongest earthquake recorded in China in our entire catalogue.
Every earthquake in China, December 2024
8 events listed below, newest first. Times are UTC. Click any column header to re-sort.
| Time (UTC) | Mag | Location | Depth (km) | Country | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.4 | Töma Township, China | 10.0 | China | View details View | |
| 4.4 | 乌鲁木齐, China | 10.0 | China | View details View | |
| 4.3 | 乌鲁木齐, China | 37.0 | China | View details View | |
| 4.2 | 乌鲁木齐, China | 10.0 | China | View details View | |
| 4.5 | Rabang, China | 10.0 | China | View details View | |
| 4.5 | Dezhing Township, China | 38.7 | China | View details View | |
| 4.4 | Lhasa, China | 8.0 | China | View details View | |
| 4.3 | Jiangcheng Hani and Yi Autonomous County, China | 10.0 | China | View details View |
Frequently asked questions
How many earthquakes hit China in December 2024?
8 earthquakes were recorded in China during December 2024, of which 8 were magnitude 4 or above.
What was the biggest earthquake in China in December 2024?
A magnitude 4.5 event near Rabang, China on 08 December 2024.
Other months in China
Magnitudes for December 2024 reflect the current USGS review status and may have been revised since first publication. See our guides on the magnitude scale, focal depth and why earthquakes cluster.