eNVIRONMENTAL OR GEOGRAPHIC IMPACT OF THE EVENT
Environment
China is one of the countries most affected by natural diaster. Natural disasters occur frequently in China, affecting more than 200 million people every year. They have become an important restricting factor for economic and social development. China had 3 of the of the top 10 worlds most fatal earthquakes, including the 1556 Shaanxi earthquake that reportedly killed more than 800,000 people, listed as the deadliest earthquakes of all times and the third deadliest natural disaster. The 1976 Tangshan Earthquakewith death toll estimated to be between 242,419 to 779,000, is ranked the third
deadliest earthquake of all times, and 8th deadliest natural disaster. The 1920 Haiyuan earthquake killed 200,000 to 240,000, ranked the fourth deadliest earthquake and 9th deadliest of all natural disasters. The 2008 Sichuan earthquake that took lives of close to 70,000 was the greatest since 1976.
deadliest earthquake of all times, and 8th deadliest natural disaster. The 1920 Haiyuan earthquake killed 200,000 to 240,000, ranked the fourth deadliest earthquake and 9th deadliest of all natural disasters. The 2008 Sichuan earthquake that took lives of close to 70,000 was the greatest since 1976.
geographic
The Shaanxi earthquake's epicenter was in the Wei River Valley in Shaanxi Province, near the cities of Huaxian, Wienan and Huayin. In Huaxian, every single building and home was demolished, killing more than half the residents of the city, with a death toll estimated in the hundreds of thousands. The situation in Weinan and Huayin was similar. In certain areas, 20-metre (66 ft) deep crevices opened in the earth. Destruction and death were everywhere, affecting places as far as 500 kilometres (310 mi) from the epicenter. The earthquake also triggered landslides, which contributed to the massive death toll.
Geological settings
Earthquakes occur when the Earth’s crust moves suddenly along a fault. Rock under great strain ruptures and releases energy in the form of seismic waves. However, most earthquakes are so slight that they are not felt by humans. Some quakes create vibrations resembling those caused by the passing of a heavy truck. The vibrations of major earthquakes can be catastrophically destructive, having the ability to level entire cities in seconds. This terrible event occured when Two tectonic plates collided. The magintude of it was 8.0 which is very high for the strength of earthquakes. it leveld mountains, altered the path of rivers, and killed about 830,00 people. The shaanxi earthquake killed about 50% of the people. It is one of the most deadliest earthquakes ever.
impact
The rupture occurred during the reign of the Jiajing Emperor of the Ming Dynasty.Therefore, in Chinese historical record, this earthquake is often referred to as the Jiajing Great Earthquake.In the winter of 1556, an earthquake catastrophe occurred in the Shaanxi and Shanxi Provinces. In our Hua County, various misfortunes took place. Mountains and rivers changed places and roads were destroyed. In some places, the ground suddenly rose up and formed new hills, or it sank abruptly and became new valleys. In other areas, a stream burst out in an instant, or the ground broke and new gullies appeared. Huts, official houses, temples and city walls collapsed all of a sudden.