Earthquakes in China — March 2026
10 earthquakes were recorded in China during March 2026, an average of 0.3 per day.
10 reached magnitude 4 or above and 2 reached magnitude 5 or above. The average focal depth was 10 km.
The month's largest event in China was a magnitude 5.3 earthquake near Shihezi, China on 06 March 2026 at 21:44 UTC. A magnitude 5.3 earthquake radiates roughly 1,344 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 10 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 8 in the magnitude 4 range, 2 in the magnitude 5 range.
Activity peaked on 31 March, when 2 events were recorded.
The month's largest events were M5.3 near Shihezi, China on 06 March at 10 km; M5.0 near Shihezi, China on 05 March at 10 km; M4.5 near Bowangshan, China on 26 March at 10 km.
That is 23% below the 13 events China averages per month across the 21 months on record.
Largest earthquakes in China, March 2026
10 events listed below, newest first. Times are UTC. Click any column header to re-sort.
| Time (UTC) | Mag | Location | Depth (km) | Country | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3 | Shihezi, China | 10.0 | China | View details View | |
| 5.0 | Shihezi, China | 10.0 | China | View details View | |
| 4.5 | Bowangshan, China | 10.0 | China | View details View | |
| 4.5 | Ürümqi, China | 10.0 | China | View details View | |
| 4.5 | Kaba, China | 10.0 | China | View details View | |
| 4.4 | Taiping, China | 10.0 | China | View details View | |
| 4.4 | Shihezi, China | 10.0 | China | View details View | |
| 4.2 | Zepu, China | 10.0 | China | View details View | |
| 4.0 | Aqqan, China | 10.0 | China | View details View | |
| 4.0 | Nagqu, China | 10.0 | China | View details View |
Frequently asked questions
How many earthquakes hit China in March 2026?
10 earthquakes were recorded in China during March 2026, of which 10 were magnitude 4 or above.
What was the biggest earthquake in China in March 2026?
A magnitude 5.3 event near Shihezi, China on 06 March 2026.
Other months in China
Magnitudes for March 2026 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.