   | |
| Local date | March 20, 1536 |
|---|---|
| Magnitude | Ms 7.3 [1] |
| Epicenter | 28°06′N102°06′E / 28.1°N 102.1°E [1] |
| Areas affected | Ming dynasty |
| Max. intensity | MMI X (Extreme) [1] |
| Casualties | thousands |
On 20 March 1536, Xichang (then known as Jianchang) and Mianning, Sichuan, Ming dynasty, were struck by an earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 7.3 Ms . It had a maximum felt intensity of X (Extreme) on the Modified Mercalli intensity scale, and caused thousands of deaths. [1] [2]
Xichang lies on the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, which is an area of thickened crust, which has been formed by the ongoing collision between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate. The plateau is spreading laterally eastwards, to southeastwards, partly accommodated by a series of major strike-slip faults. The Sichuan–Yunnan block is bounded to the northeast and east by the left lateral Xianshuihe fault system and to the southwest by the right lateral Red River Fault. Xichang is sited at the southern end of the Anninge segment of the Xianshuihe fault system, close to its junction with the Zemuhe segment. [3]
Estimates for the magnitude of this earthquake vary in the range 7.3–7.5. [1] [4] Although the 1850 Xichang earthquake is thought to have ruptured both the Anninge and Zemuhe segments, the 1536 event probably only ruptured the more northerly Anninge segment. This is supported by paleoseismological investigations. A trench dug across the northern end of the Anninge segment found evidence of a rupture consistent with the 1536 event but a trench across the northern end of the Zemuhe segment lacked any such evidence. [1] [3] [5]
The extent of damage and casualties was reported by Yuancheng Cao, the official responsible for judging affairs in Sichuan. In Xichang all buildings were destroyed, including government offices, prisons, storehouses and houses (both military and civilian). The city walls, gates, battlements and watchtowers collapsed. Many people were crushed to death, including several senior officials. [1] [6] Further north in Mianning, every house was destroyed and the city walls completely collapsed and thousands were killed. Parts of the city walls also collapsed in Yuexi, Qionglai, Ya'an, Dayi and Meishan. [2]
The 1920 Haiyuan earthquake occurred on December 16 in Haiyuan County, Ningxia Province, Republic of China at 19:05:53. It was also called the 1920 Gansu earthquake because Ningxia was a part of Gansu Province when the earthquake occurred. It caused destruction in the Lijunbu-Haiyuan-Ganyanchi area and was assigned the maximum intensity on the Mercalli intensity scale. About 258,707-273,407 died, making it one of the most fatal earthquakes in China, in turn making it one of the worst disasters in China by death toll.
The 1927 Gulang earthquake occurred at 06:32 a.m. on 23 May. This 7.6 magnitude event had an epicenter near Gulang, Gansu in the Republic of China. There were 40,912 deaths. It was felt up to 700 km (435 mi) away.
The 1932 Changma earthquake occurred at 10:04:27 local time on 25 December. With an estimated magnitude of 7.6 on the surface wave magnitude scale, and a maximum felt intensity of X (Extreme) on the Mercalli intensity scale, the quake destroyed 1,167 houses and caused 275 to 70,000 deaths and 320 injuries.
The 1879 Gansu earthquake occurred at about 04:00 local time on 1 July. It had an estimated magnitude of 8.0 on the Ms scale and a maximum perceived intensity of XI (Extreme) on the Mercalli intensity scale. The epicenter was in Wudu District in southern Gansu, close to the border with Sichuan. It caused widespread damage and killed an estimated 22,000 people.
An earthquake occurred on 1 June 1786 in and around Kangding, in what is now China's Sichuan province. It had an estimated magnitude of about 7.75 and a maximum perceived intensity of X (Extreme) on the Mercalli intensity scale. The initial quake killed 435 people. After an aftershock ten days later, a further 100,000 died when a landslide dam collapsed across the Dadu river.
The Xianshuihe fault system or the Yushu-Ganzi-Xianshuihe fault system is a major active sinistral (left-lateral) strike-slip fault zone in southwestern China, at the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau. It has been responsible for many major earthquakes, and is one of the most seismically active fault zones in China.
The Haiyuan Fault is a major active intracontinental strike-slip (sinistral) fault in Central Asia.
The 1973 Luhuo earthquake struck near the town of Zhaggo in Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province, China on February 6, 1973, with a magnitude of 7.6 Ms. The earthquake had a maximum intensity of X (Extreme) on the Modified Mercalli intensity scale. It resulted in between 2,175 and 2,204 deaths and a further 2,743 injuries. Serious and widespread destruction occurred in Luhuo County.
The 2021 Maduo earthquake, also known as the 5.22 earthquake struck Madoi County in Qinghai Province, China on 22 May at 02:04 local time. The earthquake had a moment magnitude and surface-wave magnitude of 7.4. Highway bridges, roads and walls collapsed as a result of the earthquake. According to an anonymous source, at least 20 people were killed, 300 were injured, and 13 were missing. Officials stated that there were no deaths but 19 people sustained minor injuries. It was the strongest in China since 2008. It was assigned a maximum intensity of X in Machali, Maduo County on the China seismic intensity scale and Modified Mercalli intensity scale. This earthquake was preceded by another unrelated earthquake that occurred 5 hours earlier in Yunnan.
The 2020 Qiaojia earthquake occurred in Yunnan, China, 42 km west of Zhaotong on May 18, 21:48 local time. The moment magnitude 5.1 quake occurred at a depth of 10 km. Various buildings were damaged, and one house collapsed in Zhaoyang District. Four people were killed while 24 people were injured.
An earthquake occurred on June 19, 1718, in Tongwei County, Gansu Province, Qing dynasty, present-day China. The estimated surface wave magnitude (Ms ) 7.5 earthquake was designated a maximum Modified Mercalli intensity of X (Extreme), causing tremendous damage and killing 73,000 people.
The 1850 Xichang earthquake rocked Sichuan Province of Qing China on September 12. The earthquake which caused major damage in Xichang county had an estimated moment magnitude of 7.3–7.9 Mw and a surface wave magnitude of 7.5–7.7 Ms . An estimated 20,650 people died.
The 1654 Tianshui earthquake occurred on July 21 in Tianshui, Gansu Province, Ming dynasty sometime between 21:00 and 23:00 local time. The event had an estimated moment magnitude of 7.0 and was assigned a maximum intensity of XI on the China seismic intensity scale. Resulting in extreme damage and affecting at least four provinces, the quake killed approximately 30,000 people.
The 1923 Renda earthquake occurred on March 24 at 20:40 local time between the counties of Daofu and Luhuo in Sichuan, China. The estimated Ms 7.3 earthquake was assigned a maximum modified Mercalli intensity scale rating of X (Extreme). Severe damage occurred in Sichuan, killing an estimated 4,800 people.
The 1955 Zheduotang earthquake, also known as the Kangding earthquake occurred on April 14 at 09:29:02 local time near the city of Kangding in the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan. The earthquake had a moment magnitude of 7.0 and a surface wave magnitude of 7.1 and struck at a depth of 10 km. Severe damage occurred in Kangding with the loss of 70 lives.
The region of Ningxia was struck by a major earthquake on the morning of 14 October 1709. It had an estimated magnitude of 7.5 Ms and a maximum felt intensity of X (extreme) on the Modified Mercalli intensity scale. The city of Zhongwei was badly damaged, including a section of the Great Wall. A total of 2,032 people were killed.
On April 11, 1870, a moment magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck Batang County in Sichuan, China. The earthquake had a maximum Modified Mercalli intensity of X (Extreme). The earthquake and a large fire resulted in between 2,300 and 5,000 fatalities.
The 1913 Eshan earthquake struck China's Yunnan Province on 21 December with a moment magnitude of 6.8 and maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent). The shock devastated Eshan County; at least 942 people died and thousands of homes were destroyed. The earthquake ruptured along a section of the strike-slip Qujiang Fault.
On 23 December 1738 the province of Qinghai was struck by an earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 7.6 Mw. It ruptured the westernmost part of the Xianshuihe fault system, the Dangjiang segment. It led to 261–500 deaths.
The 1733 Dongchuan earthquake affected Yunnan in China on August 2. The earthquake, which had an estimated surface-wave magnitude of 7.75, damaged homes across the province.