China Earthquake
Tuesday, 13. May 2008, 08:41:57
The most powerful earthquake to hit China in 30 years has killed at least 10,000 people in south-western Sichuan province, with thousands more trapped. The figures are expected to rise dramatically
The M 7.9 strong earthquake was shallow, with a depth of only 10 km, and hit less than 100 km north-east of Chengdu, a city of about 11 million inhabitants. The quake devastated a region of small cities and towns set amid steep hills. The epicentre was relatively far from any plate boundary, but earthquakes in this area are not unknown as can be seen from this USGS map of earthquakes from 1990 to present. Since 1900 the area of this map has known 8 earthquakes larger than M 7.
Kim at All of my Faults are Stress-related has an exellent post on the Tectonics of the May 12 Sichuan earthquake which explains the tectonic situation much better than I would ever be able to, so please go and read it.
The Eastern Sichuan quake ruptured about 275 kilometers of a fault running northeastward between the easternmost mountains of the Tibetan Plateau and the densely populated Sichuan Basin. The violent quake is probably linked to a shift of the Tibetan plateau to the north and east. Earthquakes are frequent and deadly along the fringes of the Tibetan plateau, which was raised when India collided into Eurasia, starting some 50 million years ago.
• http://sciencenow.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/2008/512/1?rss=1
• http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2008/05/13/2243183.htm
PS:
A strong aftershock measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale rocked Chengdu itself around 3:10 p.m. Tuesday 13 May 2008. The region has suffered more than 1,950 aftershocks in the past 25 hours, including three over 6 on the Richter scale and 14 between 5 and 6. Heavy rainfall, storm and wrecked roads hamper rescuers' efforts to reach the hardest-hit areas.
PS of 14 may 2008
More about the earthquake including information (and Tectonic Summary) as Reported by USGS at Geology.com
The M 7.9 strong earthquake was shallow, with a depth of only 10 km, and hit less than 100 km north-east of Chengdu, a city of about 11 million inhabitants. The quake devastated a region of small cities and towns set amid steep hills. The epicentre was relatively far from any plate boundary, but earthquakes in this area are not unknown as can be seen from this USGS map of earthquakes from 1990 to present. Since 1900 the area of this map has known 8 earthquakes larger than M 7.Kim at All of my Faults are Stress-related has an exellent post on the Tectonics of the May 12 Sichuan earthquake which explains the tectonic situation much better than I would ever be able to, so please go and read it.The Eastern Sichuan quake ruptured about 275 kilometers of a fault running northeastward between the easternmost mountains of the Tibetan Plateau and the densely populated Sichuan Basin. The violent quake is probably linked to a shift of the Tibetan plateau to the north and east. Earthquakes are frequent and deadly along the fringes of the Tibetan plateau, which was raised when India collided into Eurasia, starting some 50 million years ago.
• http://sciencenow.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/2008/512/1?rss=1
• http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2008/05/13/2243183.htm
PS:
A strong aftershock measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale rocked Chengdu itself around 3:10 p.m. Tuesday 13 May 2008. The region has suffered more than 1,950 aftershocks in the past 25 hours, including three over 6 on the Richter scale and 14 between 5 and 6. Heavy rainfall, storm and wrecked roads hamper rescuers' efforts to reach the hardest-hit areas.
PS of 14 may 2008
More about the earthquake including information (and Tectonic Summary) as Reported by USGS at Geology.com
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once again, I would like to express my thanks for your blog.
You keep us updated with very interesting and professional review of the planet we're livin' on.
Philippe
By pfelelep, # 13. May 2008, 15:14:25
Also, China's oldest dam, Du Jian Yan, which has been in use for thousands of years, could have been damaged...
I just want to cry...
By Aprilsnow, # 14. May 2008, 06:27:27
And so far I have seen no news about problems with the Three Gorges Dams, which is said to be undamaged.
Ole
By nielsol, # 14. May 2008, 18:01:50
It is said a crack was found at the "fish mouth " of Dujiangyan Dam, but it's not critical at this point. So far, no report of damage of Three Gorges Dam. I just read there are about 81 water reservoirs in the entire area, I hope everything will be checked and all right.
By Aprilsnow, # 15. May 2008, 06:52:48
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080514/ap_on_re_as/china_earthquake_dam
By nielsol, # 15. May 2008, 09:00:33
China Daily reported the same news but without those "analysis" by CHRISTOPHER BODEEN, who tends to have an habit to make China news worse.
It's still a big concern, at the same time I am sure China is putting top priority to secure those dams... we will have to see... keep praying.
By Aprilsnow, # 16. May 2008, 03:52:05