Nagqu, China — A magnitude 4.9 earthquake struck the remote Nagqu region of the Tibetan Plateau on Friday evening, the U.S. Geological Survey reports.

What happened:

The quake hit at 7:07 PM Central Time Friday — 8:07 AM Saturday local time — centered about 209 kilometers (130 miles) east-northeast of Nagqu at a depth of 10 kilometers, about 6 miles. USGS seismologists have reviewed the event. No tsunami threat was issued.

Impacts:

The epicenter sits in a remote, sparsely populated stretch of the plateau, far from major cities. No damage or injury reports have surfaced, and none are expected given the distance from populated areas. No shaking-intensity or felt-report data has been released. The USGS says this was the strongest of several earthquakes to rattle the Nagqu region today, including a magnitude 4.8 earlier in the evening.

What to do:

- Drop to the ground, take cover under a sturdy table or desk, and hold on until the shaking stops.

- Stay away from windows and anything that can fall.

- If you are outdoors, move to an open area away from buildings and power lines.

- After the shaking, check for gas leaks and structural damage, and be ready for aftershocks.

*Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), October 23, 2026.*