World

China’s Jilin Province Hit by 5.5 Magnitude Earthquake: What You Need to Know

5. 5 magnitude earthquake hit China‘s Jilin province. The deep quake’s impact is yet unknown.

byAndres Castro

October 25, 2025, 9:25 AM

A close-up of a map focused on North Korea, with South Korea and China's Jilin province visible.

A close-up of a world map showing North Korea. By Nature's Charm / Shutterstock.com.

Executive Summary

A magnitude 5.5 earthquake occurred in China’s Jilin province, bordering North Korea, on Saturday evening.

The seismic event struck the city of Hunchun at 7:45 p.m. local time on October 25, with its epicenter at a significant depth of 560 kilometers.

There were no immediate reports of damages or casualties resulting from the tremor.

The Story So Far

A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck China’s Jilin province, which shares borders with North Korea and Russia, at a significant depth of 560 kilometers. This considerable depth typically suggests a potentially widespread but less intense surface impact, and initial reports did not immediately specify any damages or casualties.

Why This Matters

The magnitude 5.5 earthquake in China’s Jilin province, bordering North Korea, is significant primarily for its extreme depth of 560 kilometers, which likely mitigated any widespread surface damage or casualties, as deep quakes tend to dissipate energy more effectively. While its proximity to the North Korean border might initially raise geopolitical questions, the natural origin and substantial depth distinguish it from seismic events linked to nuclear testing, indicating it was a natural geological occurrence without immediate political implications.

Who Thinks What?

The official Xinhua news agency reported a magnitude 5.5 earthquake in China’s Jilin province, striking Hunchun at a depth of 560 kilometers.

Seismological understanding suggests that the earthquake’s considerable depth implies a potentially widespread but less intense surface impact.

Reuters noted that the report did not immediately specify any damages or casualties resulting from the tremor.

China’s Jilin province, which borders North Korea, reported a magnitude 5.5 earthquake on Saturday evening, according to the official Xinhua news agency. The seismic event struck the city of Hunchun at 7:45 p.m. local time (1145 GMT) on October 25, with its epicenter located at a significant depth of 560 kilometers (348 miles).

Earthquake Details

The earthquake’s considerable depth suggests a potentially widespread but less intense surface impact, as deeper quakes tend to dissipate more energy before reaching the surface. Jilin province is situated in China’s northeast, sharing a frontier with North Korea and Russia.

The report, disseminated by Reuters, did not immediately specify any damages or casualties resulting from the tremor.

Summary

A magnitude 5.5 earthquake was recorded in China’s Jilin province, specifically in Hunchun, on Saturday evening, with its epicenter at a deep 560 kilometers. The event was reported by Xinhua, though further details on its impact remain unconfirmed.