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China shook a powerful earthquake of 6.2 points

11:30, Thursday, 08 December, 2016
China shook a powerful earthquake of 6.2 points

The earthquake, which happened at about 1:15 p.m. local time on Thursday, was centered 35 kilometers (21 miles) southeast of Hankazi, or 104 kilometers (65 miles) west of Ürümqi, the region's capital. It struck at a shallow depth.

China's Earthquake Networks Center (CENC) put the preliminary magnitude of Thursday's earthquake at 6.2, while the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) put the preliminary magnitude at 5.9. Strong shaking was reportedly felt across the area.

The U.S. Geological Survey estimated that some 5.6 million people across the region may have felt the earthquake, including some 43,000 people in the vicinity of the epicenter who may have experienced moderate to strong shaking.

There was no immediate word on damage or casualties, but buildings in many parts of China are extremely vulnerable to earthquake shaking, and even light earthquakes can cause serious damage and casualties.

One of the worst earthquakes in China in recent years happened in April 2010, when a powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck the country's northwest, killing nearly 3,000 people and injuring more than 12,000 others.

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