According to the official measurement from the China Earthquake Networks Center, a magnitude 5.4 earthquake struck Xinlong County in the Garze Prefecture of Sichuan Province at 1:17 PM on October 9. The quake had a focal depth of 10 kilometers, with the epicenter located at 30.84 degrees north latitude and 99.86 degrees east longitude. The average elevation within a 5-kilometer radius of the epicenter is approximately 4,251 meters. The epicenter was 45 kilometers from Xinlong County, 88 kilometers from Garze County, 99 kilometers from Luhuo County, 102 kilometers from Litang County, and 107 kilometers from Baiyu County. It was 220 kilometers from the Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and 404 kilometers from Chengdu. Residents in multiple areas reported feeling significant tremors.

Xinlong County

Xinlong County is a county located in the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in the western part of Sichuan Province, China. Historically, it has been a significant area within the Kham region of Tibet, known for its Tibetan Buddhist culture and traditional nomadic practices. The county’s history is deeply intertwined with the ancient Tea Horse Road, a network of trade routes that facilitated cultural and economic exchange.

Garze Prefecture

Garze Prefecture is a predominantly Tibetan region in western Sichuan Province, China, historically known as Kham. It has long been a significant center of Tibetan culture and is home to important monasteries. The area is also notable for its stunning natural landscapes, including parts of the Hengduan Mountains.

Sichuan Province

Sichuan Province, located in southwest China, is a region with a rich history dating back over 4,000 years as the center of the ancient Shu civilization. It is renowned globally for its distinctive and famously spicy cuisine, as well as being the natural habitat of giant pandas. The province is also home to significant cultural landmarks, including the Leshan Giant Buddha and the Dujiangyan irrigation system, a UNESCO World Heritage site that has been in operation for over two millennia.

China Earthquake Networks Center

The China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC) is the national institution responsible for earthquake monitoring and reporting in China. It was established to enhance the country’s capabilities in earthquake detection, early warning, and data analysis following significant seismic events in China’s history. The center operates a vast network of seismic stations and plays a crucial role in disaster mitigation efforts.

Garze County

Garze County is a culturally significant Tibetan region located in western Sichuan Province, China. It lies on the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau and has historically been a vital hub for trade and cultural exchange along the ancient Tea Horse Road. The area is renowned for its stunning natural scenery and is home to important Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, such as Garze Monastery, which has been a center of religious life for centuries.

Luhuo County

Luhuo County is a scenic county located in the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province, China, situated in the historical region of Kham. It is known for its traditional Tibetan culture and stunning natural landscapes, including grasslands and mountains. Historically, it has been an area of Tibetan settlement and is part of the broader cultural and trade exchanges along the ancient Tea Horse Road.

Litang County

Litang County is a high-altitude town located in Sichuan Province, China, renowned as a major center of Tibetan culture. Historically, it was a significant hub on the ancient Tea Horse Road and is famous as the birthplace of the 7th and 10th Dalai Lamas. Today, it is celebrated for its annual horse racing festival and its traditional Tibetan monasteries.

Baiyu County

Baiyu County is a remote and mountainous county located in the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province, China. Historically, it was part of the ancient Kham region of Tibet and is known for its traditional Tibetan culture and stunning natural scenery, including sacred mountains and pristine rivers. The area’s name, “Baiyu,” which means “White Jade” in Chinese, is a reference to the nearby White Jade Mountain.