About 470000 residents of the Qinglong County evacuated their homes just before the 1976 M 7.8 Tangshan earthquake (United Nations 1995, Wang 1991, Qian 1989, Qian 1986). No other earthquake in the 20th century was as catastrophic or claimed as many lives as that which struck the city of Tangshan in Northern China on July 28, 1976. …was devastated by a giant earthquake. Jan 9, 2012 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. Relief workers eventually got water trucks and others to transport clean drinking water into the affected areas. It also triggered sand blows throughout the region, which silted wells and irrigation ditches. When the 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Tangshan, more than 1 million people were sleeping, unaware of the impending disaster. During the night preceding the earthquake, many people reported seeing strange lights as well as loud sounds. It was the worst natural disaster to strike Nepal since the 1934 Nepal earthquake. 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 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. Some people saw flashes of light; others witnessed fireballs flying across the sky. Railroad lines bent. Also Tianjin City alone suffered about 24 000 casualties.At least 700,000 more p… The Great Tangshan Earthquake also rocked the seat of Chinese Communist Party power in Beijing — both literally and politically. There was no such warning for Tangshan. Jennifer Rosenberg is a historian and writer who specializes in 20th-century history. George Pararas-Carayannis. Several other earthquakes struck the city during the late 1970s and…. 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. Though 80% of the people trapped under rubble were saved, a 7.1 magnitude aftershock that hit on the afternoon of July 28 sealed the fate for many who had been waiting under the rubble for help. Some 242,000 people were officially reported as having been killed, though the death toll may have been higher. As the earth began to shake, a few people who were awake had the forethought to dive under a table or other heavy piece of furniture, but most were asleep and did not have time. 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. Strong aftertremors continued for days. South of Tangshan, where liquefaction was the highest, the tremendous outpouring of sand caused significant damage to crops. Once the quake was over, the people who could scrambled out into the open, only to see the entire city leveled. Unfortunately, relief workers accidentally clogged the one remaining road, leaving them and their supplies stuck for hours in the traffic jam. The deadliest earthquake in China since the 1976 Tangshan earthquake and the strongest since the 1950 Chayu earthquake. The magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Tangshan, China on July 28, 1976, killed at least 242,000 people (the official death count). Eighty percent of the water pumping stations were seriously damaged and the water pipes were damaged throughout the city. Estimates of the number of deaths due to the Tangshan earthquake have varied widely, and generally lack a clear authoritative basis. Tangshan earthquake July 28, 1976, claimed an estimated 800,000 lives, registering 8.2 on the Richter Scale, a...Tangshan earthquake registered 7.8.) At 3:42 a.m. on July 28, 1976, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit the sleeping city of Tangshan, in northeastern China. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. The prefecture-level divisions of Mianyang, Ngawa, Deyang, Guangyuan, and Chengdu suffered the most loss of lives. 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. The Tangshan earthquake is regarded as the deadliest earthquake in the 20th century and one of the most deadliest in recorded history. 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. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Before the earthquake, the total population of Tangshan city was approximately 1.2 million, with 2 million within 40 km (25 mi) of the epicenter. This later caused health problems, especially after it rained and the bodies were again exposed. Along with infrastructure damage, there were devastating amounts of casualties. Recognizing that, in the wake of the successful earthquake predictions at Haicheng the previous year, Mao's government touted its ability to predict and then respond to natural disasters. It is believed to be the largest earthquake of the 20th century by death toll. Estimates of the number of deaths due to the Tangshan earthquake have varied widely, and generally lack a clear authoritative basis. At least 700,000 more people were injured, and property damage was extensive, reaching even to Beijing. Though scientific earthquake prediction is in its nascent stages, nature often gives some advance warning of an impending earthquake. As mentioned earlier, the earthquake struck just before 4 am, when many people were asleep and unprepared. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The earthquake also took a toll on infrastructure and agriculture. The lights were seen in a multitude of hues. Other wells throughout the area showed signs of cracking. They searched for food and set up temporary shelters. All but one of the roads into Tangshan was impassible. 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. When an earthquake of historic magnitude leveled the industrial city of Tangshan in the summer of 1976, killing more than a half-million people, China was already gripped by widespread social unrest. Additional research has also been focused on anomalous animal behaviors ahead of earthquakes, which have been widely documented. Many people drank out of pools or other locations that had become contaminated during the earthquake. The Tangshan Earthquake also known as the Great Tangshan Earthquake, was a natural disaster that occurred on July 28, 1976. 1920 Haiyuan Earthquake is the third deadliest earthquake with most deaths in the history. The earthquake triggered an avalanche on Mount Everest, killing 21, making 25 April 2015 the deadliest day on … Updates? In 7,218 households, all members of the family were killed by the earthquake. As injured people were saved from under the rubble, they were lain on the side of the road. Once its owner had returned him to his bowl, the goldfish continued to jump out of its bowl until the earthquake hit. Here are the most notable known earthquake events, based on the number of deaths. It makes the Tangshan shock, which registered between 7.8 and 8.2 on the Richter scale, officially far worse than the 1923 Tokyo earthquake in which … This would make it the deadliest earthquake in modern times, and the second or third deadliest in recorded history. At 2 a.m. on July 28, shortly before the earthquake struck, the goldfish jumped out of its bowl. As Mao lay on his deathbed, the public mourned the death of popular premier Zhou Enlai. The foundations of bridges gave way, causing the bridges to collapse. The main shock caused a 75-mile (120-km) subsurface rupture that extended bilaterally north-northeast and south-southwest of Tangshan; it also caused prominent surface faults to appear in the city. On Tuesday, 12 January 2010, an earthquake with a 7.0 magnitude near the town of… Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. The rebuilding of Tangshan began almost immediately after … The 7.8 earthquake that hit Tangshan was given an intensity level of XI (out of XII). With so much damage, recovery was not easy. Along with infrastructure damage, there were devastating amounts of casualties. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership, https://www.britannica.com/event/Tangshan-earthquake-of-1976. The medical centers were destroyed, as were the roads to get there. 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