Earthquakes in China — October 2025

12 earthquakes were recorded in China during October 2025, an average of 0.4 per day.

12 reached magnitude 4 or above and 2 reached magnitude 5 or above. The average focal depth was 11 km.

The month's largest event in China was a magnitude 5.6 earthquake near Daocheng, China on 09 October 2025 at 05:17 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 level with the 12 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, 2 in the magnitude 5 range.

Activity peaked on 26 October, when 2 events were recorded.

The month's largest events were M5.6 near Daocheng, China on 09 October at 10 km; M5.2 near Zhaotong, China on 11 October at 10 km; M4.9 near Linqiong, China on 12 October at 10 km.

That is close to the 13 events China averages per month across the 21 months on record.