Shallow M5.3 Earthquake struck on Wednesday Night 188km from Kashgar in China.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on November 7th, 2023. Last updated December 8th, 2023.

Just after midnight of Wednesday November 8th, 2023, a shallow and significant Magnitude 5.3 earthquake hit under land 188 kilometer from Kashgar in China. Roughly 4 million people may have felt this earthquake. Another country near the epicenter is Kyrgyzstan.

Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in China, 188 kilometer (117 mi) north-east of Kashgar in Xinjiang. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 7 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	Nov 8, 2023 00:09 (Urumqi Time) - Nov 7, 2023 18:09 Universal Time.
Location:	188 km NE of Kashgar, Xinjiang, China. Coordinates 40°31'31"N 77°42'39"E.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.3 Detected by 18 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.073 .
Depth:	7 km (4 mi) A very shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:	VII Very Strong On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Tsunami very unlikely While this was a shallow earthquake, it appears to have occurred under land with a magnitude not strong enough to cause tsunami's. Always stay cautious - More info here.

Minimal impact predicted

Based on scientific estimates by the US Geographic Survey (USGS), the risk of high fatalities for this earthquake is classified at level GREEN (low). They expect an 65% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 fatalities, and a 96% chance that the number of fatalities falls no higher than 10.

The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level GREEN (low). They expect an 76% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact, and a 98% chance that the economic impact of this earthquake falls no higher than 10 million USD.

Roughly 4 million people exposed to shaking

This earthquake may have been felt by around 4 million people. That is the expected population size of the area exposed to a level of shaking of II or higher on the Modified Mercalli scale according to the USGS.

The highest earthquake impact level for this earthquake is VII, which corresponds with very strong shaking and likely moderate damage. Roughly 0 people are expected to be exposed to this level. The majority of people (roughly 3.6 million) live in an area exposed to level III, where weak shaking and probably no damage is expected.

People in 3 countries have been exposed to shaking. In China , around 3.8 million people, with impact levels up to VII (very strong shaking, likely moderate damage). In Kyrgyzstan , around 240 thousand people.

People	MMI Level	Shaking	Damage
0	I	Not noticable	None
265,600	II	Very weak	None
3,610,000	III	Weak	Probably none
149,100	IV	Light	Likely none
1,700	V	Moderate	Very light
280	VI	Strong	Light
0	VII	Very Strong	Moderate
0	VIII	Severe	Moderate to heavy
0	IX	Violent	Heavy
0	X	Extreme	Very heavy

Nearby towns and cities

This earthquake struck within proximity of multiple countries. China and Kyrgyzstan are both within 300km distance of its epicenter.

Located 136 kilometer (85 mi) west-northwest of the epicenter of this earthquake, Tumxuk (Xinjiang, China) is the nearest significant population center. Tumxuk experienced an earthquake intensity (MMI Scale) of roughly III. That level implies weak shaking and probably no damage.

Multiple large cities are in proximity of today's earthquake. Kashgar is located 188 km to the southwest and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage). Aksu is located 228 km to the east-northeast (intensity unknown, possibly low). Tumxuk is located 136 km to the east-southeast and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage).

The table below provides an overview of all places in proximity of today's earthquake. Where available, the estimated intensity on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale in each place is included. Places where this information is omitted likely experienced little impact.

Overview of nearby places

Cities and Towns around the epicenter of this earthquake.
Distance	Place	Intensity (MMI)
136 km (85 mi) ESE from epicenter	Tumxuk Xinjiang, China.	III Weak
176 km (109 mi) WNW from epicenter	At-Bashi Naryn, Kyrgyzstan.	III Weak
176 km (109 mi) NW from epicenter	Naryn Naryn, Kyrgyzstan.	III Weak
186 km (116 mi) S from epicenter	Dunbage Xinjiang, China.	III Weak
188 km (117 mi) SW from epicenter	Kashgar Xinjiang, China.	III Weak
192 km (119 mi) S from epicenter	Huangdi Xinjiang, China.	III Weak
204 km (127 mi) S from epicenter	Elixku Xinjiang, China.	III Weak
204 km (127 mi) N from epicenter	Kyzyl-Suu Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan.
209 km (130 mi) S from epicenter	Azhatebage Xinjiang, China.
215 km (134 mi) S from epicenter	Kuoshi'airike Xinjiang, China.
215 km (134 mi) S from epicenter	Awati Xinjiang, China.
217 km (135 mi) S from epicenter	Alamaiti Xinjiang, China.
224 km (139 mi) S from epicenter	Tage'erqi Xinjiang, China.
224 km (139 mi) S from epicenter	Paikeqi Xinjiang, China.
226 km (140 mi) NNE from epicenter	Karakol Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan.
227 km (141 mi) S from epicenter	Bage'awati Xinjiang, China.
228 km (142 mi) ENE from epicenter	Aksu Xinjiang, China.
231 km (144 mi) S from epicenter	Yishikuli Xinjiang, China.
231 km (144 mi) S from epicenter	Baishikante Xinjiang, China.
234 km (145 mi) S from epicenter	Mixia Xinjiang, China.
238 km (148 mi) S from epicenter	Shache Xinjiang, China.
239 km (149 mi) S from epicenter	Gulebage Xinjiang, China.
241 km (150 mi) S from epicenter	Arele Xinjiang, China.
242 km (150 mi) NNW from epicenter	Cholpon-Ata Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan.
244 km (152 mi) S from epicenter	Tuomuwusitang Xinjiang, China.
244 km (152 mi) S from epicenter	Yigai'erqi Xinjiang, China.
246 km (153 mi) S from epicenter	Wudalike Xinjiang, China.
247 km (153 mi) SSW from epicenter	Qarek Xinjiang, China.
250 km (155 mi) NNW from epicenter	Balykchy Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan.
263 km (163 mi) S from epicenter	Zepu Xinjiang, China.
292 km (181 mi) SSW from epicenter	Kaqun Xinjiang, China.

Earthquake Intensity Map

The intensity in shaking and damage by this earthquake is illustrated through the map below. The highest intensity measured for this earthquake is VII.

I Not felt

II Weak

III Weak

IV Light

V Moderate

VI Strong

VII Very Strong

VIII Severe

IX Violent

X Extreme

Earthquake Intensity Map based on Shakemap Data provided by USGS.

Shaking reported by 1 person

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 1 person has reported shaking in one place in Kazakhstan.We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

Almaty, Almaty, Kazakhstan: 1 person.

14 Aftershocks detected

This main shock was followed by 14 smaller aftershocks. A 4.8 magnitude earthquake hit 42 mins later 1.5 km (0.9 mi) west-northwest of this earthquake.

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

Detected MAG2.5+ earthquakes within within 100km (62 mi), that occurred in the three days before and after the main shock.
Classification	Magnitude	When	Where
Main Shock This Earthquake	M 5.3	Nov 8, 2023 00:09 (Urumqi Time)	-
Aftershock	M 4.8	5 mins later Nov 8, 2023 00:15 (Urumqi Time)	11 km (7 mi) E from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 4.3	22 mins later Nov 8, 2023 00:31 (Urumqi Time)	12 km (7 mi) ENE from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 4.5	22 mins later Nov 8, 2023 00:31 (Urumqi Time)	18 km (11 mi) SSE from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 4.8	42 mins later Nov 8, 2023 00:52 (Urumqi Time)	1.5 km (0.9 mi) WNW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 4.3	1 hr later Nov 8, 2023 01:34 (Urumqi Time)	19 km (12 mi) ESE from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 4.1	2 hrs later Nov 8, 2023 01:46 (Urumqi Time)	2.8 km (1.7 mi) E from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.9	2 hrs later Nov 8, 2023 01:59 (Urumqi Time)	38 km (23 mi) NW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.8	6 hrs later Nov 8, 2023 05:54 (Urumqi Time)	60 km (37 mi) NNW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 4.2	17 hrs later Nov 8, 2023 17:14 (Urumqi Time)	10 km (6 mi) ESE from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 3.1	19 hrs later Nov 8, 2023 19:04 (Urumqi Time)	52 km (32 mi) NNW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 4.4	21 hrs later Nov 8, 2023 21:34 (Urumqi Time)	12 km (8 mi) ESE from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.6	1 day later Nov 9, 2023 05:03 (Urumqi Time)	48 km (30 mi) N from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.5	1 day later Nov 9, 2023 08:50 (Urumqi Time)	64 km (40 mi) N from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 3.3	2 days later Nov 10, 2023 08:02 (Urumqi Time)	18 km (11 mi) NE from Main Shock.

More earthquakes coming?

Earthquakes can create aftershocks. These are generally at least 1 magnitude lower than any main shock, and as time passes the chance and strength of aftershocks decreases.

It's always adviced to be cautious of the risk of a larger shock following any significant earthquake, however this risk is fairly small. There is a roughly 94 percent change that no larger main shock will follow in the days following this earthquake.

Read: How to Stay Safe during an Earthquake (cdc.gov).

Earthquakes like this are common in the region

Earthquakes of this strength occur quite regularly in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since December 28th, 2022, when a 5.6 magnitude earthquake hit 218 km (136 mi) further north-east. An even stronger magnitude 6 earthquake struck on January 19th, 2020.

In total, 9 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.3 or higher have been registered within 300km (186 mi) of this epicenter in the past 10 years. This comes down to an average of once every year.

Tsunami very unlikely

DISCLAIMER: We strongly suggest to closely monitor advice from local authorities with regards to tsunami risks. Our analysis is based on automatically collected data from external sources, and these might contain mistakes. In addition, earthquakes can cause landslides that may lead to a tsunami, or be a followed by another, potentially stonger, earthquake.

While MAG-6.5+ earthquakes may cause tsunami's, it appears that the epicenter of this earthquake hit under land. In addition, the reported depth is deeper than 100km, making the risk of a tsunami even less likely. However always stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.

Tsunami Risk Factors

Factor	Under Sea?	MAG-6.5 or stronger?	Shallow depth?
Explanation	Almost all tsunami's are caused by earthquakes with their epicenter under sea or very near the sea. However stay cautious in coastal areas as earthquakes on land may cause landslides into sea, potentially still causing a local tsunami.	Under MAG 6.5: Very unlikely to cause a tsunami. MAG 6.5 to 7.5: Destructive tsunami's do occur, but are uncommon. Likely to observe small sea level changes. MAG 7.6+: Earthquakes with these magnitudes might produce destructive tsunami's.	Most destructive tsunami's are caused by shallow earthquakes with a depth between 0 and 100km under the surface of the earth. Deeper tsunami's are unlikely to displace to ocean floor.
This Earthquake	Not this earthquake. This earthquake appears to have struck on land far from any coast.	Not this earthquake. This earthquake had a magnitude of 5.3. Earthquakes of this strength are unlikely to trigger a tsunami.	This earthquake occurred at a depth of of 7 km (4 mi). Earthquakes this shallow could trigger a tsunami.

Sources

Last updated 08/12/23 22:48 (). As more information on this earthquake becomes available this article will be updated. This article is automatically composed based on data originating from multiple sources.