Powerful earthquake of 6.8 magnitude hits lightly populated area of Tajikistan near China border

A 6.8 magnitude earthquake shook part of Tajikistan early Thursday near China's far western Xinjiang region. It was 67 kilometers (41 miles) west of Murghob, Tajikistan and 20 kilometers (12 miles) deep, according to the US Geological Survey.

The area is remote and lightly populated.

China Earthquake Networks Center said the quake was 7.2 magnitude and 10 kilometers (6 miles) deep. Preliminary seismic measurements by different agencies often differ. Further information was not immediately available.

The affected countries are Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, China, Afghanistan, and Kyrgyzstan, 47 km from Alichur, Tajikistan.

After a major earthquake, social media feeds are often flooded with videos of rattling furniture, swaying lamps and startled people. Take a look

AHORA | Terremoto M7.2 sacude la frontera de #Tajikistan y #China. (23.02.2023). #Earthquake #Sismo #Temblor video zona China de Xinjiang. #zabedrosky #Preliminar 10Km Profundo. pic.twitter.com/oqYbIxPwNc

— ⚠️Alerta Climática👽ᵘᶠᵒ (@deZabedrosky) February 23, 2023

Earlier, an earthquake in Tajikistan that has been reported by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) occurred on February 12, 2023, at 02:42:15 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time). The earthquake had a magnitude of 5.5 and its epicenter was located approximately 24 kilometers (15 miles) east-northeast of Khorugh, Tajikistan. The depth of the earthquake was estimated to be 116.4 kilometers (72.3 miles).