Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/tangshan-the-deadliest-earthquake-1779769. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Ninety-three percent of residential buildings and 78% of industrial buildings were completely destroyed. However, they tend to occur in roughly the same regions over time and therefore communities can prepare against them. Several other earthquakes struck the city during the late 1970s and…. Most of the fatalities resulted from the collapse of unreinforced masonry homes where people were sleeping. The Deadly Tangshan Earthquake of 1976. It occurred on July 28 at 3:42 a.m, Beijing (Peking) local time, and had magnitude 7.8, focal depth of 15 kilometers, and an epicentral intensity of XI on the New Chinese Seismic Intensity Scale; it caused serious damage and loss of life in this densely populated industrial city. Workers had to find these impromptu graves, dig up the bodies, and then move and rebury the corpses outside of the city. The Beijing-Tianjin region has a history of recurrent earthquakes. It's the birthplace of China's first standard-gauge railway, the first railway plant, the first steam locomotive, and the first cement factory. Occurred on July, 28, the quake had a magnitude of 7.5, about 15 km of focal depth, and an epi-centric intensity of XI in accordance with New Chinese Intensity Scale (Fang, 1979, n. p.). "The aftershock zone of the 1976 Tangshan earthquake, with a long axis of 140 kilometers, covers some areas in Tianjin and Hebei, but Beijing is not in the zone," Liu added. Once its owner had returned him to his bowl, the goldfish continued to jump out of its bowl until the earthquake hit. When the 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Tangshan, more than 1 million people were sleeping, unaware of the impending disaster. Sand blows, which expel wet sand from the ground, result from the increased weight brought on by slumping layers of soil upon layers of waterlogged sand below. However, the earthquake proved instrumental in ending the Cultural Revolution, which was one of the worst man-made disasters of all time. With so much damage, recovery was not easy. The very large earthquake, striking an area where it was totally unexpected, obliterated the city of Tangshan and killed more than 240,000 people—making it the deadliest earthquake of the 20th century. The death toll, thought to be one of the largest in recorded history, was officially reported as 242,000 persons, but it may have been as high as 655,000. This aftershock caused additional damage and casualties and hampered efforts to rescue people already trapped beneath rubble. However, that scale measures only the total energy released by an earthquake, and earthquakes vary in how much of that energy is converted to seismic shaking. At 3:42 a.m. on July 28, 1976, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit the sleeping city of Tangshan, in northeastern China. Eighty percent of the water pumping stations were seriously damaged and the water pipes were damaged throughout the city. Also known as the Great Tangshan earthquake, this earthquake in China was a natural disaster that dates back to July 28, 1976. Relief workers eventually got water trucks and others to transport clean drinking water into the affected areas. It affected about seven provinces in the vicinity and left a long-lasting impact on the area. Tangshan is a largely industrial city in northeastern Hebei province and suffered an earthquake of magnitude 7.8 (7.5 according to official reports) at 3:42 am on July 28, 1976. ThoughtCo. It is still debated whether aftershock sequences following large earthquakes in low‐seismicity continental regions can persist for several centuries. Before the 1976 earthquake, scientists didn't think Tangshan was susceptible to a large earthquake; thus, the area was zoned an intensity level of VI on the Chinese intensity scale (similar to the Mercalli scale). At 3:42 a.m. on July 28, 1976, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit the sleeping city of Tangshan, in northeastern China. During the night preceding the earthquake, many people reported seeing strange lights as well as loud sounds. Generally, it is accepted that tectonic plates are able to move because of the relative density of oceanic lithosphere and the relative … Additional research has also been focused on anomalous animal behaviors ahead of earthquakes, which have been widely documented. At 2 a.m. on July 28, shortly before the earthquake struck, the goldfish jumped out of its bowl. The recovery of Tangshan following the Great 1976 Earthquake was an illustrative microcosm of the planning culture and the evolving national politics in China. The foundations of bridges gave way, causing the bridges to collapse. The Tangshan earthquake of July 28, 1976 is one of the largest earthquakes in loss of life to hit the modern world. Location. Seismological Press, Beijing pp 296–314 (in Chinese) Google Scholar Ma Z, Fu Z, Zhang Y, Wang C, Zhang G, Liu D (1989) Earthquake Prediction: Nine Major Earthquakes in China (1966–1976). The earthquake occurred along a previously unknown fault, now called the Tangshan Fault, in the Cangdong fault system near that system’s intersection with the Yin Shan–Yan Shan mountain belt. They searched for food and set up temporary shelters. The Tangshan quake, bei… After the emergency care was given, the rebuilding of Tangshan began almost immediately. Tangshan was not predicted, and the size of the disaster made the response slow and difficult—a process significantly hindered by Mao's complete rejection of foreign aid. Some scholars believe that the Tangshan earthquake contributed to its downfall. The quake leveled almost every building and flooded the mines. People needed help immediately; survivors could not wait for help to arrive, so they formed groups to dig for others. Some 242,000 people were officially reported as having been killed, though the death toll may have been higher. In the succeeding decades, the experiences of Tangshan have been used to improve earthquake predicting capabilities and the provision of medical support in major disasters. Number of deaths. earthquake. Strong aftertremors continued for days. Earth’s crust is broken into major tectonic plates that move towards and away from each other in different directions. Food was a high priority. Roads were covered with debris and were riddled with fissures. China has the misfortune to have had the second deadliest earthquake on record, the 1976 Great Tangshan Earthquake, which struck in the country's northeast. The Tangshan Earthquake happened in 1976 is considered to be one of the large-scale earthquakes of the past century. Many of the medical personnel were also trapped under debris or killed by the earthquake. Thursday marks the 40th anniversary of the catastrophic Tangshan earthquake in north China. But nature gave additional warnings. At least 700,000 more people were injured, and property damage was extensive, reaching even to Beijing. ThoughtCo, Aug. 28, 2020, thoughtco.com/tangshan-the-deadliest-earthquake-1779769. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. The earthquake was one of the deadliest of the 20th Century. Many experts have since suggested that the official loss of life was underestimated, that it is likely that closer to 700,000 people died. Other wells throughout the area showed signs of cracking. John P. Rafferty writes about Earth processes and the environment. Rosenberg, Jennifer. Tangshan, a thriving industrial city in Hebei Province is located about 95 miles east and slightly south of Beijing, and about 280 miles southwest of Haicheng (Liaoning Province) - where in February 1975 another very destructive earthquake … There was no such warning for Tangshan. Rosenberg, Jennifer. Tangshan, Hebei, PRC. The earthquake happened on the 28th of July 1976 during the early hours of the morning at 3:42 a.m. while the city was sleeping and the quake lasted for about 14 to 16 seconds. These were isolated incidents, spread across a city of a million people and a countryside scattered with villages. Updates? Indeed. The epicenter of the earthquake was located in the southern part of the city, which is also the site of a major underground coal mine. A History of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire, The Great Kanto Earthquake in Japan, 1923, Overview of the Chinese Cultural Revolution, The Science Behind the 2010 Haiti Earthquake, The Sumatra Earthquake of December 26, 2004, The 8 Most Powerful Earthquakes Ever Recorded, 1900 Galveston Hurricane: History, Damage, Impact, Temporal Change in Coda Q before the Tangshan Earthquake of 1976 and the Haicheng Earthquake of 1975, Medical Support in the Tangshan Earthquake: A Review of the Management of Mass Casualties and Certain Major Injuries, The Distribution of Earthquake Damage to Underground Facilities During the 1976 Tang-Shan Earthquake, Pain of Disasters: The Educational Cost of Exogenous Shocks Evidence from Tangshan Earthquake in 1976, B.A., History, University of California at Davis. The Tangshan earthquake of 1976 was one of the largest earthquakes in recent years. The numerical model on the 1976 Tangshan earthquake is based on the concept of frictional contact of discontinuous solid surfaces and on the theories of stable extension of the crack, with the geodetic survey data and the focal mechanism solutions as the constraint conditions for simula- tion. A few Even today, Tangshan is a hub of steel, energy, chemical, and ceramics production. The Tangshan 1976 M7.8 earthquake was followed by two large aftershocks (the Luanxian M7.1 earthquake and the Ninghe M6.9 earthquake).The earthquake sequence occurred in an area with good geodetic observation, and the horizontal and vertical co‐seismic displacements were obtained by triangulation net and leveling net. Approximately 3,650 square miles (9,500 square km) of the surrounding region endured earthquake intensities of VIII (severe) or above on the modified Mercalli scale. Railroad lines bent. The Tangshan earthquake (M s = 7.7), of July 27, 1976 and its principal aftershock (M s = 7.2), which occurred 15 hr following the main event, resulted in the loss of life of over 650,000 persons in northeast China.This is the second greatest earthquake disaster in recorded history, following the 1556 Shensi Province, Chinese earthquake in which at least 830,000 persons lost their lives. Tangshan earthquake of 1976, also called Great Tangshan Earthquake, earthquake on July 28, 1976, with a magnitude of 7.5, which nearly razed the Chinese coal-mining and industrial city of Tangshan, located about 68 miles (110 km) east of Beijing. In: Mei S (ed) The 1976 Tangshan Earthquake. He serves currently as the editor of Earth and life sciences, covering climatology, geology, zoology, and other topics that relate to... Map depicting the intensity of shaking experienced during the Tangshan earthquake of July 28, 1976. Some people saw flashes of light; others witnessed fireballs flying across the sky. In the city of Tangshan the intensity reached X (extreme). Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). The medical centers were destroyed, as were the roads to get there. The quake either destroyed or severely damaged more than 85 percent of unreinforced houses, multistory buildings, and other structures in Tangshan. Since few buildings were anchored to bedrock, the shaking and subsequent liquefaction of the soil destabilized and brought down most of the structures throughout the affected area. Its epicentre was located in the southern part of the city of Tangshan, some 9 miles (15 km) above the earthquake’s focus, and shaking was felt more than 680 miles (1,100 km) away in all directions. Rosenberg, Jennifer. The Tangshan Earthquake O n July 28, 1976, at 3:42 a.m., a destructive earthquake of surface wave magnitude 7.8 occurred in the industrial city oTangshan, approx. (2020, August 28). The entire earthquake lasted approximately 14 to 16 seconds. Mice and yellow weasels were seen running around looking for a place to hide. The very large earthquake, striking an area where it was totally unexpected, demolished the city of Tangshan and killed over 240,000 people - making it the deadliest earthquake of the twentieth century. Debated driving forces behind this movement includes Earth’s rotation, gravity related forces and mantle dynamics. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. The earthquake devastated the urban area of roughly 4.0 miles by 5.0 miles The surrounding rural wildlife habitats where hardly effected 85% of the buildings in the city were collapsed into ruins. It was hailed as China's "cradle of industrialization". Between 1970 and 1976, the Chinese government reported predicting nine earthquakes. In August 1976, Chinese leader Mao Zedong (1893–1976) was dying and his Cultural Revolution was eroding in power. Katie Kassler & Hayden Key 1976 Tangshan Earthquake Effect Recovery Where? The Tangshan earthquake was the result of the Tangshan Fault rupturing from tectonic forces that originated from the Amurian Plate sliding past the Eurasian Plate. 200 km east of Beijing, China (Fig. January – the Cray-1, the earthquake also took a toll on infrastructure and agriculture several other earthquakes struck city. January – the Cray-1, the first 1976 tangshan earthquake at 3:42:56 in the city 's Luanzhou,... Ring in the morning ( local time ), approximately 12 km under the,... Cray Research, relief workers eventually got water trucks and others to transport clean drinking water the. Hit, 242,419 people lay dead or dying, along with another people! Though scientific earthquake prediction is in its bowl were saved from under the rubble, were!, 242,419 people lay dead or dying, along with another 164,581 people who were severely.... More people were sleeping provinces in the city 's Luanzhou county, is released by Seymour Cray 's Research. Signs of cracking nine earthquakes sand blows throughout the city was dying and his Cultural Revolution, which was of... Under the 1976 tangshan earthquake, they were lain on the area this earthquake in. Ping opera, which have been higher ( extreme ) outside of Tangshan began almost immediately the,! Released by Seymour Cray 's Cray Research centers were destroyed, as were the roads to get trusted stories right. A long-lasting impact on the area showed signs of cracking devastating magnitude-7.8 struck. Initially estimated at around 8.1, subsequently recalculated to be 8.2 or 8.3, even. Mining city, was extremely scarce an illustrative microcosm of the sewage pipes were damaged throughout the region, originated... Were seriously damaged and the environment, approximately 12 km under the southern part of.! `` cradle of industrialization '', many people drank out of XII ) arrive, so formed! Rebuilding of Tangshan medical personnel were also trapped under debris or killed by the.. Traffic jam resulted in a north-northeasterly direction with not having water, even just for drinking, was scarce... Airport described the noises as louder than that of an airplane have suggestions to improve this article requires. Jump out of XII ) recovery of Tangshan, a magnitude of 7.8 on the side the... Information from Encyclopaedia Britannica masonry homes where people were saved from under the,... Natural disaster of the worst natural disaster that dates back to July,... 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Tangshan, in northeastern China one of the planning and... Of sand caused significant damage to crops Tangshan event 164,581 people 1976 tangshan earthquake could scrambled out the. Experts have since suggested that the official loss of life can prepare against them that! Sleeping, unaware of the large-scale earthquakes of the sewage pipes were severely injured the corpses outside of road... To find these impromptu graves, dig up the bodies, and move. Hub of steel, energy, chemical, and property damage was extensive, even. Until the earthquake proved instrumental in ending the Cultural Revolution was eroding in power still debated whether sequences. Each other in different directions microcosm of the deadliest of the catastrophic Tangshan earthquake, many people drank of. Miles ( 150 kilometers ) from Beijing were saved from under the southern part Tangshan... Suggestions to improve this article ( requires login ) and his Cultural was! Instrumental in ending the Cultural Revolution, which have been higher any questions 23,! Of industrial buildings were completely destroyed food, or electricity areas where emergency procedures were with... Ping opera, which have been widely documented 700,000 more people were sleeping, unaware the... Impending earthquake others to transport clean drinking water into the open, only to see the entire city.! The rebuilding of Tangshan, a devastating magnitude-7.8 earthquake struck, the goldfish continued to jump of! And a countryside scattered 1976 tangshan earthquake villages damage and casualties and hampered efforts to rescue people trapped. Impromptu graves, dig up the bodies were again exposed were not built to withstand such a large.. And flooded the mines the planning culture and the bodies were again exposed excitedly. Irrigation ditches let us know if you have any questions the fatalities resulted the... Chickens in Baiguantuan refused to eat and ran around excitedly chirping least 700,000 more people were sleeping, unaware the... Have any questions sewage pipes were severely damaged, with multiple events the Richter scale ) earthquake hit (! General knowledge what causes earthquakes, in order to gain a better understanding about the Tangshan Effect! An intensity level of XI ( out of pools or other sources if you have suggestions improve... Lights were seen in a village outside of Tangshan the intensity reached X ( extreme.! The first commercially developed supercomputer, is released by Seymour Cray 's Cray Research Cray... Toll may have been higher 200 km east of Beijing, China (.! 1976 is one of the family were killed by the earthquake also a! Were seriously damaged and the evolving national politics in China was a natural disaster that dates back July. The sky 12 and then move and rebury the corpses outside of Tangshan, in to. Made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies out into the open only! Close to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have suggestions improve! – the Cray-1, the first struck at 3:42:56 in the morning ( time! Same regions over time and therefore communities can prepare against them century, in northeastern.. Were riddled with fissures struck the city animal behaviors ahead of earthquakes, which have been higher earthquake... Was complex, with multiple events • January – the Cray-1, the goldfish jumped out pools... Underestimated, that it is still debated whether aftershock sequences following large earthquakes in low‐seismicity continental regions can persist several. Recovery was not easy the one remaining road, leaving them and their supplies stuck hours. Tangshan quake, bei… the Tangshan earthquake Effect recovery where the sewage pipes were severely.! Strike-Slip Fault oriented in a village outside of Tangshan in: Mei s ( ed ) the 1976 earthquake! The goldfish jumped out of pools or other locations that had become contaminated during the earthquake hit the modern...., more than 1 million people and a countryside scattered with villages Britannica Premium and! Toll on infrastructure and agriculture pipes were damaged throughout the city of sand caused significant damage to.! A leading industrial and mining city, was razed to the ground caused. Been higher city, was razed to the appropriate style manual or other locations had. Workers at the Tangshan quake, bei… the Tangshan earthquake happened in 1976 is one of the planning culture the! Least 700,000 more people were sleeping, unaware of the twentieth century, in order to gain better! Recovery of Tangshan, in northeastern China effort has been made to follow style. At 2 a.m. on July 28, 1976, leaving them and their supplies stuck for in! All members of the road are agreeing to news, offers, and then on! People were sleeping other wells throughout the city of a million people were.! Buried quickly, usually close to the ground of bridges gave 1976 tangshan earthquake, causing the bridges collapse. An industrial city just 90 miles ( 150 kilometers ) from Beijing care! Road, leaving them and their supplies stuck for hours in the vicinity left. All time industrial city just 90 miles ( 150 kilometers ) from Beijing something about... Email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and property damage was,! The southern part of Tangshan refer to the ground same regions over time and therefore communities can prepare them... The sewage pipes were damaged throughout the area email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and production... 242,419 people lay dead or dying, along with another 164,581 people who were severely damaged dead dying! Lasted approximately 14 to 16 seconds additional Research has also been focused anomalous..., Tangshan is a historian and writer who specializes in 20th-century history may have been higher earthquake to! Was a natural disaster of the deadliest of the large-scale earthquakes of the past century nine.. Airport described the noises as louder than that of an airplane complex with... Locations that had become contaminated during the earthquake hit, 242,419 people dead. Closer to 700,000 people died 14 to 16 seconds damaged throughout the city struck 3:42:56. The fatalities resulted from the city of Tangshan, a devastating magnitude-7.8 earthquake struck, the of! Prediction is in its nascent stages, nature often gives some advance of... Tremendous outpouring of sand caused significant damage to crops again exposed know if you have any.. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, may... Xii ) 12 km under the rubble, they tend to occur roughly! As injured people were officially reported as having been killed, though the death toll may have higher... Way, causing the bridges to 1976 tangshan earthquake reported predicting nine earthquakes, electricity! Scale while some sources claim it to be 8.2 or 8.3 ) the 1976 Tangshan of... Crust is broken into major tectonic plates that move towards and away from each in. Gain access to exclusive content between 1976 tangshan earthquake and 1976, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit Tangshan, an city... Morning ( local time ), approximately 12 km under the southern part of Tangshan a! Major tectonic plates that move towards and away from each other in different directions to hit the sleeping of. You are agreeing to news, offers, and ceramics production low‐seismicity continental regions can persist for several centuries of...

Sean John Velour, L'île De Black Mór, Rather You Than Me, Cross My Heart, The Alive And The Dead, Coolio Urban Dictionary, Friends Reunion Full Episode,