   | |
| UTC time | |
|---|---|
| 2026-05-18 16:21:06 | |
| 2026-05-19 13:44:26 | |
| USGS-ANSS | |
| ComCat | |
| ComCat | |
| Local date | 19 May 2026 |
| Local time | |
| 00:21:06 CST (UTC+8) | |
| 21:44:26 CST (UTC+8) | |
| Magnitude | Mw 5.0 Mw 5.1 |
| Depth | 10.0 km (6 mi) |
| Epicenter | 24°28′48″N 109°12′25″E / 24.480°N 109.207°E |
| Areas affected | Liuzhou, Guangxi, China |
| Max. intensity | MMI VI (Strong) CSIS VII |
| Casualties | 2 deaths, 5 injuries (first shock) 1 injured (second shock) |
On 20 May 2026, at 00:21 CST, a magnitude 5.0 (5.2 according to the China Earthquake Administration) earthquake struck the Chinese province of Guangxi about 24 km (15 mi) northwest of the city of Liuzhou.[1] The earthquake killed two people, injured five others and caused serious damage to structures on or near the city of Liuzhou. Twenty-one hours later at 21:44 CST, another earthquake with a magnitude of 5.1[2] (also measuring 5.2 according to the CEA) caused further damage and injured one person.
Earthquake
editBoth the two quakes struck near the city of Liuzhou, were centered only 2 km (1.2 mi) apart, and had a depth of 10 km (6.2 mi), according to the USGS.[1][2] The China Earthquake Administration (CEA) however, reported that the magnitudes of both the two quakes were Mw 5.2 and has depths of less than 8 km (5.0 mi), meaning both quakes struck at shallow depths. The quakes were the largest to strike the area in 331 years.[3] The earthquake has a maximum intensity of VII in the China seismic intensity scale that covers an area of 2 square kilometers, while an area of 356 square kilometers is covered by intensity VI. The earthquake's isoseismal pattern was oriented in a north-northeast direction, with an estimated major axis of about 27 km and a minor axis of about 16 km. In addition, building damage also occurred outside of the aforementioned areas, with old houses also being affected.[4] Following the first of the two mainshocks, the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC) conducted an analysis of the event and preliminarily determined that it resulted from a reverse rupture. Researchers stated that the earthquakes occurred in northeastern Guangxi near the Hechi–Yizhou–Liucheng fault system, a thrust-dominated fault zone characterized by historically weak and infrequent seismic activity, where previous studies estimated a maximum potential earthquake magnitude of approximately 5.5. According to the CENC, only one earthquake of magnitude 5.0 or greater had occurred within 100 km (62 mi) of the epicenter since 1900. Experts later suggested that the sequence was more consistent with a "double-mainshock earthquake swarm with foreshocks" rather than a typical earthquake swarm, as the two similarly sized main shocks occurred within the same day.[5][6]
Impact
editA married couple aged 63 and 53 died and at least five others were injured.[7][8] A 91-year old man was initially reported missing but was later rescued from the rubble of collapsed buildings.[9][10] At least 58 homes were damaged or destroyed, sinkholes appeared and a landslide blocked a road in Liuzhou.[8][11] Over 7,000 people were displaced by the quake.Tremors were felt in Guilin, Nanning, Guigang, Wuzhou and as far away as Hong Kong[12] and parts of northern Vietnam including Hanoi.[13]
References
edit- 1 2 ANSS. "M 5.0 - 24 km NW of Liuzhou, China 2026". Comprehensive Catalog. U.S. Geological Survey.
- 1 2 ANSS. "M 5.1 - 26 km NW of Liuzhou, China 2026". Comprehensive Catalog. U.S. Geological Survey.
- ↑ "两次5.2级！广西柳州发生331年来最强等级地震 官方：地下岩溶洞穴有放大作用". Scol.com.cn (in Chinese). May 18, 2026. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
- ↑ "广西柳州5.2级震群地震烈度图发布 6度区及以上约358平方公里". Guangming Daily (in Chinese). May 20, 2026. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
- ↑ "为什么说这次柳州地震非常罕见？". Sohu (in Chinese). May 20, 2026. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
- ↑ "专家：广西柳州地震为逆冲型破裂". Xinhua News Agency (in Chinese). May 19, 2026. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
- ↑ "中国柳州地震酿一对夫妻罹难 居民泪诉：以前常去光顾他们家" (in Chinese). SinChew Daily. 18 May 2026. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
- 1 2 "广西柳州地震已造成58栋民房受损，引发次生地质灾害10起" (in Chinese). The Paper. May 18, 2026. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
- ↑ "Guangxi quake rescue ends with 91-year-old found alive". China Daily. May 18, 2026. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
- ↑ "柳州地震最後1名被困人士獲救送院" (in Chinese). TDM. May 17, 2026. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
- ↑ "Authorities investigates unusual twin quakes hitting Liuzhou". China Daily. May 19, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
- ↑ "廣西5.2級地震造成13棟房屋倒塌 逾7千人轉移" (in Chinese). Metro Broadcasting Corporation. May 17, 2026. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
- ↑ "Động đất tại Trung Quốc, nhiều tỉnh miền Bắc Việt Nam rung lắc" (in Vietnamese). Tiền Phong. May 18, 2026. Retrieved May 20, 2026.