A magnitude 4.3 earthquake struck Heyuan, a city in Guangdong province, southern China, on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at 1:17 p.m. local time, according to the Hong Kong Observatory. The tremor was felt as far away as Hong Kong, approximately 170 kilometers south, where residents reported mild shaking that lasted a few seconds.
The epicenter was located at coordinates 23.73N, 114.71E, roughly 160 kilometers east-northeast of Guangzhou, the provincial capital, and 170 kilometers north-northeast of Hong Kong. With a focal depth of about 10 kilometers, the shallow quake was more likely to be felt over a broad area. The Hong Kong Observatory noted that it received over ten reports from Hong Kong residents who experienced the tremor, describing the vibrations as akin to the sound of light trucks passing by. The local intensity in Hong Kong was rated III on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale, indicating that the shaking was noticeable indoors but not strong enough to cause damage.
Social media platforms, particularly X, buzzed with reports of the quake. Posts from users like @ObservatoryHK and @hkfp confirmed the event, with the latter noting the Hong Kong Observatory’s reports of local tremors (Hong Kong Free Press). The South China Morning Post also covered the quake, highlighting its impact in Hong Kong (SCMP News). Despite the attention, initial assessments suggest no significant damage or injuries in either Heyuan or Hong Kong.
Guangdong province is no stranger to seismic activity, though major destructive earthquakes are rare. The region’s geological setting, influenced by the collision of tectonic plates in western China, contributes to occasional tremors. Research from 2023 provides context for Heyuan’s seismic history, with a sequence of earthquakes linked to the Xingfengjiang Reservoir. A study published in Tectonophysics found that a 4.3 magnitude earthquake sequence in 2023 was triggered by reservoir water seepage, which altered local crustal stress in the Shijiao-Xingang-Baitian fault zone (2023 Heyuan Earthquake Study). The study documented 565 events with focal depths of 7–13 kilometers, suggesting that human activities can play a role in regional seismicity. While it’s not confirmed whether the May 2025 quake is reservoir-induced, its similarity in magnitude and location raises the possibility.
The Hong Kong Observatory classified the quake as mild, with a magnitude of 4.3 unlikely to cause widespread disruption. For comparison, a 1918 earthquake near Heyuan, with a magnitude of 7.4, remains the strongest recorded in the region since 1900, though it occurred over 200 kilometers away in the Taiwan Strait. More recently, a 4.1 magnitude quake struck near Heyuan in January 2025, centered in the South China Sea, indicating ongoing seismic activity (Earthquake List).
Heyuan, a city of over 3 million people, appears to have been largely unaffected, with no immediate reports of structural damage or casualties. In Hong Kong, the tremor caused a stir but no harm, with residents taking to X to share their experiences. Posts from accounts like @HKOEARTHQUAKE6E emphasized the quake’s detectability in Hong Kong, reinforcing the Observatory’s data (HKO Earthquake).
The Hong Kong Observatory continues to monitor seismic activity in the region and urges residents to stay informed through official channels. While the likelihood of significant aftershocks appears low, the event serves as a reminder of Guangdong’s active geological environment. Authorities in Heyuan have not yet released detailed assessments, but the quake’s mild nature suggests minimal impact on the city’s infrastructure and population.
The Hong Kong Observatory’s ongoing monitoring will provide further insights into any aftershocks or related activity. Residents in Guangdong and Hong Kong are encouraged to stay updated via official sources, such as the Observatory’s website. While the May 29, 2025, earthquake was minor, it underscores the importance of preparedness in a region prone to occasional seismic events.
