1830 Cixian earthquake

Coordinates: 36°24′N 114°12′E / 36.4°N 114.2°E / 36.4; 114.2
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1830 Cixian earthquake
Qing Dynasty
Max. intensityMMI X (Extreme)[1]
Casualties7,477 dead[1]

The region of

Cixian, which suffered the most severe damage. A total of 7,477 people died as a result of the earthquake.[1]

Tectonic setting

Cixian lies close to the western edge of the

strike-slip faulting.[4] The two largest and most active of the fault zones are the Sanhe–Laishui Fault and the Tangshan–Heijian–Cixian Fault. The latter fault has been associated with many major historical earthquakes, including the 1976 Tangshan earthquake and the 1966 Xingtai earthquakes.[3]

Earthquake

Based on macroseismic data the earthquake had an estimated magnitude of 7.5 Ms  or 7.4 Mw . The maximum perceived intensity reached X (extreme) on the

Modified Mercalli scale. Surface rupture interpreted to be caused by this earthquake reached about 45 km in length. The earthquake is interpreted to have ruptured the southernmost segment of the Tangshan–Heijian–Cixian Fault.[2]

Damage

In Cixian, between 80 and 90% of all buildings collapsed and 200,000 houses were destroyed. In Pengcheng, part of a temple was the only building left standing. More than half the buildings in Cheng'an collapsed. Part of the city walls in Handan were destroyed as were many houses. Severe damage was also reported from

There were widespread reports of ground fissuring and

sandblows. The flow of some rivers and canals was affected. Landslides were reported near Pengcheng.[1]

Casualties

In Cixian 5,485 inhabitants were killed in the earthquake and a further 1,700 were killed or injured in

Pengcheng. Deaths were also reported from Cheng'an (many), Handan and nearby villages (488). A total of 7,477 deaths was recorded.[1]

References