On 18 May 2026, two doublet earthquakes measuring 5.0 and 5.1 (both measuring 5.2 according to the China Earthquake Administration) struck Liuzhou, Guangxi, China. Two people were killed, six others were injured and nearly 1,000 structures were badly damaged or destroyed by both events.
Earthquakes Both earthquakes were located in Liujiang District of Liuzhou, were centered only apart, and had a depth of , according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The China Earthquake Administration (CEA) reported that both earthquakes measured 5.2 and were less than deep. The quakes were the largest to strike the area in 331 years. The mainshock had a maximum intensity of VII in the China seismic intensity scale (CSIS) covering an area of 2 km2, while an area of 356 km2 was covered by intensity VI. The earthquake's isoseismal pattern was oriented in a north-northeast direction, with an estimated major axis of about and a minor axis of about . According to USGS, the second mainshock had a maximum Modified Mercalli intensity (MMI) of VII (Very strong), which was felt by an estimated 9,000 people; MMI VI-VII (Strong-Very strong) was estimated in Liujiang District while MMI V (Moderate) was felt in Liuzhou's city centre. Tremors were also felt in Guilin, Nanning, Guigang, Wuzhou and as far away as Hong Kong and parts of northern Vietnam, including the capital Hanoi. The USGS issued an orange alert for economic losses in the second mainshock, but issued a green alert for estimated fatalities.
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 reverse faulting. Researchers stated that the earthquakes occurred 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. China Daily, however, citing the Guangxi Earthquake Agency, reported that the quake occurred as a result of movement of the Baipeng fault, about from the epicenter. According to the CENC, only one earthquake of magnitude 5.0 or greater had occurred within of the epicenter since 1900. Experts later suggested that the sequence was more consistent with a "doublet earthquake swarm with foreshocks" rather than a typical earthquake swarm, as the two mainshocks occurred within the same day.
The mainshocks were preceded by several foreshocks on 17 May, making residents more vigilant and leaving them out of danger. As of 21 May, a total of 59 aftershocks had been recorded near Liuzhou.
Impact A Level III emergency response was activated. A married couple were killed by a collapsing house and at least five people were injured by the first mainshock. A 91-year old man was initially reported missing but was later rescued from the rubble of a collapsed building. At least 16 homes were destroyed, 970 others were severely damaged, sinkholes appeared and a landslide blocked a road in Liuzhou. Over 7,000 people were displaced by the first mainshock.
The second earthquake at 21:44 CST slightly injured one person, caused one house to collapse, damaged several others and triggered rockfalls.
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