China: Magnitude-5.5 earthquake occurs in Qinghai Province Aug. 14

Event

A magnitude-5.5 earthquake occurred in Qinghai Province at 16:20 Aug. 15. The epicenter was about 199 km (124 miles) north-northeast of Nagqu, Tibet Autonomous Region. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles), and light shaking was probably felt throughout southwestern parts of Qinghai Province and eastern parts of Tibet Autonomous Region. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake, and significant damage is unlikely given the sparsely populated nature of the region. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Light aftershocks are likely over the coming days.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.