1718 Tongwei–Gansu earthquake

Coordinates: 35°00′N 105°12′E / 35.0°N 105.2°E / 35.0; 105.2
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1718 Tongwei–Gansu earthquake
1718 Tongwei–Gansu earthquake is located in Gansu
1718 Tongwei–Gansu earthquake
1718 Tongwei–Gansu earthquake is located in China
1718 Tongwei–Gansu earthquake
Local dateJune 19, 1718 (1718-06-19)[1]
Magnitude7.5 Ms
7.5 Mw[1]
Epicenter35°00′N 105°12′E / 35.0°N 105.2°E / 35.0; 105.2[2]
Areas affectedQing dynasty
Max. intensityMMI X (Extreme)
Landslides>300
ForeshocksYes
Casualties≈73,000 dead

An earthquake occurred on June 19, 1718, in

Modified Mercalli intensity of X (Extreme), causing tremendous damage and killing 73,000 people.[2]

Tectonic setting

A map of the India-Asia deformation zone with active faults in the region.

The active

subduct: rather, it ploughs into the Eurasian Plate. This process severely deforms the Eurasian Plate, uplifting the crust, forming the Tibetan Plateau. The force of the Indian Plate converging pushes the Tibetan Plateau east, towards the Sichuan Basin, forming another zone of collision. This collision and resulting crustal deformation of the Eurasian Plate is accommodated by the Xianshuihe fault system, Haiyuan Fault, Kunlun Fault, Altyn Tagh fault, and Longmenshan Fault. The presence of active faults in Gansu makes the region vulnerable to damaging earthquakes. The very deadly 2008 Sichuan earthquake occurred due to a thrust fault rupture on the Longmenshan Fault.[3] The 1920 Haiyuan and 1927 Gulang earthquakes
occurred due to ruptures along the Haiyuan Fault.

Earthquake

The West Qinling Fault in the Tibetan plateau, an active left–lateral

surface ruptures from the earthquake has been documented, suggesting it may be a buried rupture earthquake.[5]

Effects

The earthquake gained notable scientific attention due to the triggering of over 300 large landslides. Many of these slides consisted of several meters of loess and mudstone deposits along steep mountainsides near the Wei River. Three of the largest landslides in Pan'an, Tianshui, Gangu County, had a combined volume of 6.06 × 108 m3.[6] Locating the distribution of landslides using Google Earth found a dense concentration of occurrence along the Tongwei Fault.[5]

Damage

All structures including government offices, schools, temples, and homes in

landslides buried many homes in the area. Ground effects were severe; large fissures appeared and the landscape was deformed.[2]
A large landslide completely buried Yongning Ancient Town during the quake.

Several mountain peaks including one at Jingning County detached and fell, damming a river, and killing several thousand. In Zhuanglang County, a large hill suffered a landslide, resulting in thousands of deaths. Many gate towers, pavilions, and battlements in Qin'an County were destroyed.[2]

In

Confucian Temples and homes. Ground fissures and landslides killed some residents. Smaller fatality figures were reported in other parts of Gansu Province. The earthquake also affected Shaanxi and Henan provinces.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Global Historical Earthquake Archive". emidius.eu. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e National Geophysical Data Center. "Significant Earthquake Information". Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  3. ^ Becky Oskin (21 April 2013). "What Caused The Deadly China Earthquake?". Live Science. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
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