According to the China Seismological Network, at 2:09 on January 23, 2024, a 7.1-magnitude earthquake occurred in Wushi County, Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang, with a focal depth of 22 kilometers. The villages within 20 kilometers around the earthquake include Beish Arsak, Honggou, Te

According to the China Seismological Network, at 2:09 on January 23, 2024, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake occurred in Wushi County, Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang, with a focal depth of 22 kilometers.

The villages within 20 kilometers of the earthquake include Beish Arsak, Honggou, Teikeqibeishi, Sesktekinenbeshi, Bailer, and Baldir Mazar. There are no towns within 20 kilometers. The villages and towns within 50 kilometers include Yamansu Kirgiz Township and Otbexi Township.

Subsequently

There were multiple earthquakes in Xinjiang

According to the China Earthquake Network, after a 7.1-magnitude earthquake occurred in Wushi County, Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang at 02:09 this morning, as of 4 a.m. this morning, a total of 3.0 magnitude and above were recorded near the epicenter. There were 14 aftershocks, including 9 magnitudes 3.0-3.9, 3 magnitudes 4.0-4.9, 2 magnitudes 5.0-5.9, and 0 magnitudes 6.0 and above. The current largest aftershock is magnitude 5.3, about 17 kilometers away from the epicenter of the main shock.

Many earthquakes were felt strongly

The earthquake caused very strong earthquakes in the surrounding areas. The earthquakes were strongly felt in Aksu, Artush, Kashgar, Ili, Korla, Karamay, etc. There were reports of earthquakes in Urumqi.

Some netizens left a message

"Awakened from a dream, directly out of gravity"

"The Aksu earthquake was too strong"

Many rescue forces have rushed to the epicenter

At present, the Office of the State Council Earthquake Relief Command and the Emergency Management Department have started the earthquake Level 3 emergency response.

The National Fire and Rescue Bureau dispatched national comprehensive fire and rescue forces to reinforce the earthquake area. At present, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Fire Rescue Corps has 41 vehicles, 192 people, and 3 search and rescue dogs rushing to the scene. The Xinjiang Fire Rescue Corps has 2 heavy and 5 light earthquake rescue teams, and 7 mobile teams with a total of 710 people assembled. The Xinjiang Forest Fire Corps 500 people, 112 vehicles, and 4 search and rescue dogs have been assembled and are ready to be dispatched at any time. The earthquake rescue teams of the Tibet and Gansu Fire Rescue Corps have assembled as planned. The damage situation is being verified.

Power supply has basically been restored to all towns in Wushi County.

The earthquake affected the power supply near the epicenter. State Grid Aksu Power Supply Company launched an emergency response and carried out inspection of main distribution network equipment. At present, power supply has basically been restored to all towns and villages in Wushi County, and restoration work is underway on site. , there are no reports of damage to personnel or equipment, and some houses and walls in Wushi County have cracks.

Currently, houses have collapsed and residents have been injured in Kezhou. According to the Kuransarik Border Police Station of the Kezhou Border Management Detachment, a child who was trapped in his house has been successfully rescued.

27 train operations affected

After a 7.1-magnitude earthquake occurred in Wushi County, Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang at 02:09 this morning, the Xinjiang Railway Department immediately launched an emergency plan and blocked the lines in the section affected by the earthquake. An emergency stop was issued in this section. For operating passenger trains, organize personnel to conduct a comprehensive inspection of railway lines, bridges, signaling equipment, station buildings and other facilities and equipment. So far, a total of 27 trains have been affected by the earthquake. The Xinjiang Railway Department reminds passengers that they can learn about train operation conditions in a timely manner through the 12306 railway customer service platform or follow the "Xinjiang Railway" official Weibo, WeChat, station electronic display screens, broadcasts, and announcements, and arrange their itinerary reasonably.

Why are earthquakes felt so strongly in Xinjiang? Will there be strong aftershocks in

? Expert analysis

According to the official measurement of the China Seismological Network, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake occurred in Wushi County, Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang at 2:9 on January 23, with a focal depth of 22 kilometers and an epicenter located at 41.26 degrees north latitude and 78.63 degrees east longitude. Since then there have been many aftershocks. The China Earthquake Administration is currently organizing emergency consultations. Han Yanyan, a senior engineer at the China Seismological Network Center, analyzed the characteristics of this earthquake.

What type of earthquake is this?

Han Yanyan, senior engineer at China Seismological Network Center: Based on comprehensive analysis of regional tectonic characteristics, historical seismic activity levels, sequence characteristics and geophysical observations, it is believed that the main and secondary types of this earthquake are more likely.

What are the characteristics of this earthquake? Why are earthquakes felt so strongly in Xinjiang?

Han Yanyan, senior engineer at China Seismological Network Center: The Tianshan seismic zone is located in Central Asia, with the Pamir Plateau and Tarim Basin in the south, and the Kazakh Platform and Junggar Basin in the north. Since the Cenozoic Era, due to the long-range effects of the strong collision and continuous compression of the Indian Plate against the Eurasian Plate, this area has been one of the areas with strong tectonic movements in China. An earthquake of magnitude 7 or above occurs once every seven years on average. The most recent earthquake A 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Tajikistan on February 23, 2023.

Due to its large magnitude and focal depth of 22 kilometers, this earthquake is a shallow earthquake, so it will cause many earthquakes to be felt relatively strongly.

Is it possible that there will be strong aftershocks?

Han Yanyan, senior engineer at China Seismological Network Center: As of 3:40, 13 aftershocks of magnitude 3 or above have been recorded, and the largest aftershock recorded was magnitude 5.3. The magnitude of this earthquake was 7.1, and it was initially determined to be a main aftershock sequence. The possibility of strong aftershocks cannot be ruled out in the future.

wish you peace!

(Source: Jinyun)