Earthquakes in China — May 2026

18 earthquakes were recorded in China during May 2026, an average of 0.6 per day.

18 reached magnitude 4 or above and 5 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 Turpan, China on 29 May 2026 at 06:55 UTC. A magnitude 5.3 earthquake radiates roughly 1,344 tons of TNT equivalent in seismic energy.

That is well above the China monthly average of 13 events over the period we cover — an unusually active month, and down from the 21 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 13 in the magnitude 4 range, 5 in the magnitude 5 range.

Activity peaked on 18 May, when 3 events were recorded.

The month's largest events were M5.3 near Turpan, China on 29 May at 10 km; M5.1 near Nagqu, China on 22 May at 10 km; M5.1 near Turpan, China on 03 May at 10 km.

That is 38% above the 13 events China averages per month across the 21 months on record.