Hong Kong Observatory detects tremors felt by residents
South China Morning Post
by Harvey KongFebruary 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Hong Kong residents experienced a brief but noticeable tremor on Friday afternoon following a 4.0-magnitude earthquake in Guangdong province. The Hong Kong Observatory confirmed the event, which occurred at approximately 2:28 PM local time near Yangjiang, about 260 kilometers (161.6 miles) west-southwest of Hong Kong. Over 100 reports from residents indicated that the tremors lasted for a few seconds and were strong enough to be felt indoors, with an estimated intensity of three on the Modified Mercalli intensity scale.
The epicenter of the earthquake was located near 21.75N latitude and 111.77E longitude, approximately 22 kilometers southwest of Yangjiang. The tremors were detected by the Observatory’s seismic network just six minutes after the event, at 2:34 PM, and described as similar in intensity to the vibrations caused by passing light trucks. This minor earthquake comes amid heightened seismic activity in the region, though its impact was relatively limited.
While earthquakes of this magnitude are not uncommon in Guangdong province, which lies along a major tectonic fault line, they remain significant for nearby urban centers like Hong Kong. The proximity of the epicenter to densely populated areas raises awareness about earthquake preparedness and safety measures, particularly in regions prone to seismic activity. For global readers, such events highlight the ongoing need for monitoring and understanding of geological phenomena that can
Verticals
worldasia
Originally published on South China Morning Post on 2/20/2026