Earthquakes in China — May 2025

11 earthquakes were recorded in China during May 2025, an average of 0.4 per day.

11 reached magnitude 4 or above and 1 reached magnitude 5 or above. The average focal depth was 10 km.

The month's largest event in China was a magnitude 5.6 earthquake near Rikaze, China on 11 May 2025 at 21:11 UTC. A magnitude 5.6 earthquake radiates roughly 3,788 tons of TNT equivalent in seismic energy.

That is close to the China monthly average of 13 events over the period we cover, and up from the 9 recorded the previous month.

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 10 in the magnitude 4 range, 1 in the magnitude 5 range.

Activity peaked on 11 May, when 2 events were recorded.

The month's largest events were M5.6 near Rikaze, China on 11 May at 9 km; M4.8 near Sishilichengzi, China on 19 May at 10 km; M4.6 near Aksu, China on 31 May at 10 km.

That is 16% below the 13 events China averages per month across the 21 months on record.