5.5 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Qinghai Province

A 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck Madoi County in Qinghai Province, China, at 3:44 PM on January 8, 2025, with a depth of 14 kilometers, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC). The epicenter was located near the source of the Yellow River, and tremors were felt in nearby regions including Dunhuang and Urumqi. Fortunately, no casualties or property damage have been reported as the area is sparsely populated, with Madoi County being the highest in China by average elevation. This quake is part of a series of seismic events affecting the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau, which has seen increased activity, including a deadly 6.8-magnitude quake in Tibet just a day prior. Historical data indicates that Madoi has experienced 102 earthquakes of magnitude 3 or higher in the past five years, reinforcing its vulnerability to seismic activity.