Shallow M5.8 Earthquake struck on Thursday Afternoon 155km from Aksu in China.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on December 4th, 2025. Last updated January 8th, 2026.

A shallow and significant MAG-5.8 earthquake struck under land 155 kilometer from Aksu in China in the early afternoon of Thursday December 4th, 2025. Earthquakes like this can cause significant economic damage but are usually unlikely to result on large numbers of fatalities. Other countries near the epicenter include Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.

Felt the earthquake? Share this article:

Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in China, 155 kilometer (96 mi) west of Aksu in Xinjiang. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 9 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	Dec 4, 2025 13:44 (Urumqi Time) - Dec 4, 2025 07:44 Universal Time.
Location:	155 km west of Aksu, Xinjiang, China. Coordinates 41°0'36"N 78°26'39"E.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.8 Detected by 18 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.073 .
Depth:	9 km (6 mi) A very shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:	VIII Severe 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.

Significant economic impact

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 YELLOW (significant). They expect an 33% likelyhood of between 10 and 100 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact, and a 96% chance that the economic impact of this earthquake falls no higher than 1,000 million USD.

Roughly 3.5 million people exposed to shaking

This earthquake may have been felt by around 3.5 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 80 people are expected to be exposed to this level. The majority of people (roughly 1.9 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 2.9 million people, with impact levels up to VII (very strong shaking, likely moderate damage). In Kyrgyzstan , around 510 thousand people. Shaking was experienced by inhabitants of Kazakhstan too.

Nearby towns and cities

China , Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan are all located within 300km distance of the epicenter of the earthquake.

The closest significant population center near the earthquake is Tumxuk in Xinjiang, China. Tumxuk is located 137 kilometer (85 mi) north-northwest of the epicenter. The intensity of shaking and damage in Tumxuk is estimated to be around level IV on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (light shaking, likely no damage).

Multiple large cities are in proximity of today's earthquake. Almaty is located 279 km to the north-northwest (intensity unknown, possibly low). Aksu is located 155 km to the east and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Bishkek is located 380 km to the west-northwest (intensity unknown, possibly low).

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

Earthquake Intensity Map

The graph below overlays a map of the region around the epicenter with earthquake intensity data provided by the US Geographic Survey. The highest intensity level detected 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

Shaking reported by 13 people in 2 countries

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 13 people have reported shaking in 4 places in 2 countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan).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: 10 people.
• Boralday, Almaty, Kazakhstan: 1 person.
• Pervomayskiy, Almaty, Kazakhstan: 1 person.
• Bişkek, Bişkek, Kyrgyzstan: 1 person.

7 Aftershocks detected

This main shock was followed by 7 smaller aftershocks. At a distance of 18 km (11 mi) north-northeast of this earthquake, an aftershock struck 3 hrs later. It measured a magnitude of 4.2

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

More earthquakes coming?

Aftershocks are usually at least 1 order of magnitude less strong than main shocks. The more time passes, the smaller the chance and likely strength of any potential aftershocks.

The chance that a significant earthquake like this one is followed by an even larger earthquake is not so large. On average, scientists estimate a 94% chance that a major earthquake will not be followed by an even larger one. It is still adviced to be aware of this risk

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 January 22nd, 2024, when a 5.8 magnitude earthquake hit 33 km (20 mi) further north-northeast. An even stronger magnitude 7 earthquake struck on January 22nd, 2024.

In total, 3 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.8 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 3 years.

Tsunami very unlikely

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

Sources

Last updated 08/01/26 02:58 (). This article is automatically generated based on available data. We keep checking multiple sources for additional information. This article gets updated as new details on this earthquake become available.

1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us7000rfgy
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20251204_0000097
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

Share this article: