Abstract:On September 12, 2018, an MS5.3 earthquake with a focal depth of 11 km occurred in Ningqiang County, Shaanxi Province (32.75°N, 105.69°E). In this work, Ningqiang County and its surrounding areas (within the radius of 420 km) were taken as the study areas. Data from seven geomagnetic stations located in Hanzhong, Zhouzhilou, Qianling, Jingyang, Chengdu, Tianshui, and Lanzhou were processed and analyzed by using the loading-unloading response ratio method of the geomagnetic Z component. Results showed that high values of abnormal changes in the load-unloading response ratio P(Z) had a strong correspondence with the Ningqiang MS5.3 earthquake. The results of this study can provide a basis for mid-short term earthquake prediction in the future. Meanwhile, the application of the loading-unloading response ratio method in earthquake prediction warrants further promotion and testing.