銆€銆€A magnitude-5.1 earthquake triggered panic in Liaoning province on Wednesday, but experts rule out the possibility of a devastating quake in the region.

銆€銆€A smashed television at a house in Dengta, Liaoning province, the epicenter of Wednesday's 5.1-magnitude earthquake, which triggered panic in the province. [Photo/China Daily]

銆€銆€No causalities were reported at the epicenter of the quake, which was located in the border area between Dengta and Shenyang, both in Liaoning province, where earthquakes are rare.

銆€銆€No houses were reported to have collapsed, but cracks were spotted in some houses in Dengta, said Liu Wenlong, the city's mayor.

銆€銆€The earthquake follows a magnitude-3.9 quake that hit the junction of Tongliao in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region and Fuxin in Liaoning on Tuesday.

銆€銆€Liaoning's earthquake bureau said devastating earthquakes are unlikely to occur in the near future.

銆€銆€Sun Shihong, retired chief forecaster of the China Earthquake Administration, said he does not believe Shenyang or Northeast China will enter an active seismic period.

銆€銆€According to Sun, northern China experienced several earthquakes between magnitude 5 and 6 from 2000 to 2006. The region entered a relatively stable stage after that.

銆€銆€Residents felt the quake on Wednesday, which lasted for about 20 seconds.

銆€銆€"It's the first time I experienced such a strong earthquake," said Huang Lihua, a 40-year-old Shenyang resident who was eating lunch when the quake jolted the city.

銆€銆€"Suddenly, the floor and windows were shaking and there was a buzzing sound. I was scared, although it only lasted few seconds. I never thought there would be an earthquake in Shenyang," she said.

銆€銆€Many residents fled outdoors when the quake hit.

銆€銆€Shenyang was the capital for the Manchu people before the establishment of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Residents believe the city is a fortunate place as it was free from major natural disasters in past centuries.

銆€銆€The quake cracked some houses, interrupted telecom signals and damaged some properties in Dengta.

銆€銆€Local resident Liang Manfu said the quake left a 2-meter crack in the ceiling of his house. The walls also had cracks, some as wide as a finger.

銆€銆€"My TV set was broken, and I'm worried about how to fix the cracks," Liang said.

銆€銆€Communication signals were interrupted for a short time in the city.

銆€銆€"I tried to call my boyfriend to ask if he was safe after the quake, but I couldn't reach him," said Wang Meiyu, a resident of Shenyang whose boyfriend works in Dengta.

銆€銆€"The quake is a reminder to keep emergency supplies at home and learn more about how to protect ourselves when in earthquakes," Wang said.

銆€銆€The quake, however, has been positive for some - locksmiths are in hot demand, because people left their keys at home when they fled outside during the quake hit.

銆€銆€"Six people asked me to help open their doors today, and that's a lot," said Guan Peng, a Shenyang locksmith.