Sichuan, Chongqing, Wenchuan, and Neijiang hit by three consecutive earthquakes within 24 hours.

Following a magnitude 3.0 earthquake in Chishui County, Chongqing, on March 17 at 9:00 p.m., more seismic activities shook Sichuan Province on March 18 at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. A magnitude 3.1 earthquake hit Wenchuan County, Aba Prefecture, and a magnitude 3.9 earthquake struck Weiyan County, Neijiang City. Netizens couldn’t help but feel panic, wondering, “Another earthquake?”

According to the China Earthquake Networks Center, the 3.0 magnitude earthquake in Chishui County on March 17 was recorded at a depth of 8 kilometers with the epicenter located at 30.24 degrees north latitude and 108.40 degrees east longitude.

On the morning of the 18th, officials from the emergency management agency in Chishui County responded to the media, stating that no casualties or significant property damage had been reported.

However, causing unease among netizens, less than 24 hours after the first tremor, another earthquake struck Wenchuan County at 3:19 p.m. on March 18 with a magnitude of 3.1, depth of 10 kilometers, and epicenter at 31.22 degrees north latitude and 103.44 degrees east longitude.

Some netizens mentioned they only felt a slight tremor while sitting in a classroom, but others pointed out that due to the earthquake’s location within the Wenchuan-Maowen fault zone, which is a part of the Longmenshan fault (a segment of the rift), though it’s at a distance from the epicenter of the devastating May 12, 2008 earthquake, it still represents a significantly ruptured fault zone, likely being an aftershock. This recent earthquake is not expected to have destructive effects but may cause slight tremors in surrounding areas.

Later on the same day, at 7:20 p.m., Weiyan County in Neijiang City experienced another earthquake, this time measuring 3.9 on the Richter scale with its epicenter located at 29.67 degrees north latitude and 104.62 degrees east longitude, and depth of 8 kilometers.

Many local netizens reported tremors felt in a wide area, including Wuhou District in Chengdu, Weiyan County, and Nanxi, while Yunxi felt the tremors distinctly, and Ziyang Rongxian and Yibin experienced strong tremors.

Three earthquakes occurring successively within 24 hours, each one with a higher magnitude, have left many netizens feeling anxious.

Netizens have expressed their concerns, with comments like, “Oh no, another earthquake.”,”Sichuan is having earthquakes again, after the recent one in Dujiangyan.”,”Seeing this place name (Wenchuan) associated with earthquakes makes me feel uneasy.”,”I got scared, this name (Wenchuan) brings back too much pain.”,”There have been too many earthquakes.”

Many netizens are offering prayers for safety and peace.