1995 Myanmar–China earthquake
UTC time | 1995-07-11 21:46:39 |
---|---|
ISC event | 93325 |
USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
Local date | 12 July 1995 |
Magnitude | 7.3 Ms 6.8 Mw |
Depth | 12.5 km (USGS) 9.0 km (CEA) |
Epicenter | 21°57′58″N 99°11′46″E / 21.966°N 99.196°E |
Areas affected | Myanmar, China & Thailand |
Total damage | US $36.1 million |
Max. intensity | MMI VIII (Severe) CSIS VIII[1] |
Landslides | Yes |
Foreshocks | 6.2 ML & 5.5 ML |
Aftershocks | Yes |
Casualties | 11 dead, 136 injured |
The 1995 Menglian earthquake or 1995 Myanmar–China earthquake occurred on 12 July at 05:46:43 local time in the
Tectonic setting
The
Earthquake
The earthquake occurred as a result of dextral strike-slip faulting at a shallow depth in the Shan Plateau.[11] It ruptured a previously unmapped northwest–southeast striking strike-slip structure not far from the faults involved in the 1988 Lancang–Gengma earthquakes. Strike-slip faulting within the Shan Plateau are the result of "bookshelf-style" faulting, caused by crustal deformation as it is situated between the Sagaing Fault and Red River Fault.[10] It is believed that the 1995 earthquake was triggered by the transfer of stress from the 1988 earthquake.[10]
Modelling of the earthquake suggest most of the displacements in the southeastern rupture zone occurred at depths of 0 to 6 km. The greatest slip was detected at 4 km beneath the surface, having moved by 1.9 meters. In the northwestern rupture, the fault had a maximum slip of 2.5 meters, traced to 5 km depth.[10] Rupture was also detected on the surface. The total length of the northwestern and southeastern rupture is approximately 38 km.[10]
Foreshocks and aftershocks
In the days leading up to the
The United States Geological Survey recorded the largest foreshocks at 5.9 Mw and 5.0 mb .[12][13] Three additional foreshocks had magnitudes of 4.9 or 4.7.[14] The 5.9 Mw foreshock resulted in some damage in Menglian County and was felt in Thailand.
Prediction
Between 19 September 1994 and 12 May 1995, a cluster of earthquakes measuring 4.7 Ms or greater was detected on the Myanmar-China border region. Seismologists also detected strange anomalies in the seismological parameters in that region. Changes to water levels in Shidian County were also interpreted as signs of a large earthquake.[1][4]
After the 6.2 ML foreshock on July 10, the Yunnan Seismological Bureau dispatched a team to the region closest to the epicenter. A meeting was also conducted and seismologists concluded that a mainshock of magnitude of ~7.0 should strike.[1] An evacuation order was recommended by scientists from the Yunnan Provincial Earthquake Administration after the forecast. Less than 30 hours after that forecast, the mainshock struck.[1][4]
Intensity
The area with the greatest shaking intensity was in Myanmar. In Yunnan Province, the earthquake was strongly felt over an area 10,400 km2. The districts and prefectures in Yunnan that were affected included the
Intensity VIII on the
The zone of intensity VII extended north at Wenggake of
Intensity VI zone covered a 10400 km2 area, from extends to Nuoliang in Cangyuan County in the north, Fubang in Lancang County in the east, and Daluo in Menghai County in the south. Most masonry and wooden buildings had minor damage such as small cracks in the walls. Minimal damage on roof shingles on most structures in the zone.[1] Overall, most structures had limited damage because they were well retrofitted and constructed with seismic codes in place after the 1988 earthquakes.
Impact
A preliminary report by ReliefWeb on July 12 stated that two women suffered fatal heart attacks while 36 individuals were injured, two of them seriously. Nineteen buildings were destroyed while many schools, factories and public infrastructures were damaged. A team of scientists were assigned to survey the area but could not reach the affected area due to road damage.[15]
In Chiang Rai, Thailand, the earthquake damaged a major electrical generator, cutting power. The Government of Thailand also ordered that dams reserviors and bridges be inspected for damage.[15]
According to an estimate by
Response
After the mainshock struck, the Yunnan Seismological Bureau immediately entered a state of emergency, establishing headquarters and sending more scientists to Menglian to plan disaster assessments, inspections, surveillance, and send reports. The National Earthquake Administration and the People's Government of Yunnan Province formally praised the Yunnan Seismological Bureau for the prediction of the earthquake, resulting in a minimal loss of life.[1]
See also
- List of earthquakes in 1995
- List of earthquakes in Myanmar
- List of earthquakes in China
- List of earthquakes in Yunnan
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Fu Hong; Liu Lifang; Wang Shiqin; Li Yongli; Ma Dianjun. "An earthquake of magnitude 7.3 in Menglian West, Yunnan Province on July 12, 1995". China Earthquake Information Network (in Chinese). Earthquake Administration of Yunnan Province. Archived from the original on 18 April 2015. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
- ^ "M 6.8 - 158 km W of Jinghong, China". earthquake.usgs.gov. USGS. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
- ^ Liu Zuyin; Qian Xiaodong; Zhang Junwei. "RELATION BETWEEN THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FORESHOCK SEQUENCE AND THE MAIN SHOCK OF THE M7.3 WEST MENGLIAN EARTHQUAKE IN 1995 IN YUNNAN". Seismological Bureau of Yunnan Province, Kunming. Archived from the original on 10 July 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
- ^ ISBN 978-3-642-63234-1.
- ^ "Significant Earthquake Information". ngdc.noaa.gov. NCEI. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
- ^ "Article---Major earthquakes on Chinese mainland since 1966(2008/05/22)". sydney.chineseconsulate.org. Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Sydney. 22 May 2008. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
- ^ Soe Min. "Fault segmentation and active tectonic criteria of the Shan Scarp Fault Zone, Shan Plateau Region, Myanmar". ResearchGate.
- doi:10.1016/j.jseaes.2004.03.006.)
{{cite journal}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link - S2CID 224901911.
- ^ ISSN 0303-2434.
- hdl:10356/107492.
- ^ "M 5.9 - 162 km W of Jinghong, China". earthquake.usgs.gov. USGS. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
- ^ "M 5.0 - 163 km NNW of Tachilek, Myanmar". earthquake.usgs.gov. USGS. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
- ^ "View nearby seismicity". earthquake.usgs.gov. USGS. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
- ^ a b "Myanmar-China-Thailand Earthquake Information Report No. 1". ReliefWeb. 12 July 1995. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
- ^ Wire and Staff Reports (19 July 1995). "QUAKE TO COST CHINESE $36 MILLION, REPORT SAYS". Journal of Commerce Online. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
External links
- The International Seismological Centre has a bibliography and/or authoritative data for this event.