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A magnitude 4.5 earthquake struck Gaoxian County in Yibin City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, at 5:01 a.m. Beijing Time on September 26, 2026, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).

Earthquake Parameters

The epicenter was located at 28.52 degrees north latitude and 104.67 degrees east longitude, with a focal depth of 5 kilometers. The earthquake was followed by a magnitude 3.4 aftershock at 5:08 a.m..

Emergency Response

Following the earthquake, the China Earthquake Administration activated a Level IV emergency response, coordinating with the China Earthquake Networks Center and the Sichuan Provincial Earthquake Agency to conduct emergency operations, strengthen seismic monitoring, and report on the situation. The Sichuan Provincial Earthquake Agency simultaneously activated its own Level IV emergency response and dispatched a three-person advance team from the Zigong Earthquake Monitoring Center to the affected area to assist with on-site emergency operations.

Impact

As of the latest reports, no casualties or property damage have been reported. Local authorities continue to monitor the situation and assess any potential impacts.

Seismic Context

The Gaoxian County area has experienced a notable cluster of seismic activity in 2026. According to the CENC, there have been multiple earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or above in the vicinity over recent months, including:

  • A magnitude 5.5 earthquake on June 29 (focal depth 6 km)
  • A magnitude 5.0 earthquake on July 8 (focal depth 8 km), which caused 2 minor injuries
  • A magnitude 4.9 earthquake on August 7 (focal depth 6 km), which resulted in 1 fatality, 1 light injury, and 5 minor injuries, as well as damage to approximately 100 houses
  • A magnitude 4.8 earthquake on August 3 (focal depth 6 km)
  • A magnitude 3.7 earthquake on August 4 (focal depth 5 km)

The September 26 event is the latest in this ongoing sequence of seismic activity in the Gaoxian County region.