The earthquake in Yinchuan caused minor injuries to six people. Will there be a major earthquake? Official Response. Yinchuan has suffered six minor injuries due to the earthquake. Is there any possibility of a major earthquake? The official has responded.

From the morning of January 2nd to the early morning of January 3rd, there were frequent earthquakes in Yinchuan, Ningxia, several of which were relatively strong. On January 4th, a press conference was held in Yinchuan City to introduce the general damage caused by the earthquakes, relief measures, and subsequent earthquake prevention and mitigation efforts.

The relevant officials at the press conference explained that as of 10:30 PM on January 3rd, the earthquakes had caused six minor injuries but no fatalities or collapsed houses.

Regarding the possibility of major earthquakes in Yinchuan, the officials stated that on January 2nd, Yongning County and Jinfeng District in Yinchuan City successively experienced earthquakes of magnitude 4.8 and 4.6 respectively. After consultation and comprehensive analysis, it was believed that the epicenter was currently in a stage of normal stress release adjustment. The high frequency of recent seismic activity was not a precursor of a major earthquake, but it could not be ruled out that there was a possibility of earthquakes with obvious seismic feelings in the original epicenter and nearby areas in the next few days.

The official’s main basis for the above judgment:

Firstly, the two earthquakes occurred in the Yinchuan Basin, and the epicenter was located in the rupture segment of the 1739 Yinchuan-Pingluo earthquake with a magnitude of 8. As of now, it has been less than 300 years since the magnitude 8 earthquake, and the energy accumulated in this region is not enough to cause a major earthquake. Based on the results of active fault exploration, this fault segment does not have a structural background for generating strong earthquakes.

Secondly, after the earthquakes, Ningxia Earthquake Bureau comprehensively analyzed and identified the generative structure of the two earthquakes, which were both part of the southern segment of the western branch of the Yinchuan hidden fault. This fault has been active since 1970 with earthquakes of magnitude 3 and 4.

Thirdly, as of now, the sequence of this earthquake swarm has been continuously decreasing in an orderly manner, and it can be basically ruled out as a precursor earthquake swarm. However, considering that there have been relatively few earthquakes with a magnitude of 2 in the original epicenter, it is believed that there is still a possibility of earthquakes with obvious seismic feelings in the original epicenter and nearby areas in the next few days.

As for why there have been frequent small earthquakes recently, the relevant officials explained it mainly due to several reasons:

Firstly, earthquakes in 2024 were mainly concentrated in the second half of the year, with a small earthquake group of magnitude 2.6 occurring in Guyuan in the first half. Generally, earthquake activity in a region often exhibits fluctuations between periods of quietness and enhancement. Therefore, it is natural for earthquake activity to increase in the later part of 2024 compared to the first half.

Secondly, there is a distinct characteristic of earthquake occurrence in Ningxia, which is that winter and spring are often peak seasons for earthquakes.

Thirdly, the earthquakes on January 2nd with magnitudes of 4.8 and 4.6 were the largest earthquakes to hit Ningxia since the Haiyuan earthquake of magnitude 4.9 in 1998. Typically, after a larger earthquake, its accumulated energy does not dissipate all at once but requires a process of release. Residual energy continues to be released in the form of small earthquakes.

Fourthly, due to the shallow focal depth of these two earthquakes and their occurrence in the Yinchuan Basin, which has thick sedimentary layers that amplify earthquake waves, earthquakes with magnitudes 1 to 2 often have noticeable seismic vibrations. This gives people the impression that there are constant small earthquakes with noticeable tremors.

The public is reminded to respond rationally during earthquakes without overreacting and maintain normal living order to prevent panic from causing disasters.