Sichuan

Earthqua
ke
4A Group 6
 Earthquake Details
Also known as Wenchuan
earthquake.
Date- Monday, 5/12/2008 at
time
Magnitu 02:28:01
8.0 Mw PM
de
Depth 19 km
Region Sichuan province, China
Epicent Wenchuan County
er
• Affected
many
places.

• Shaking felt
by distant
place, such
as Beijing.
 What is the cause?
Located in the
major earthquake
zone.

Result of motion on
a northeast striking Major earthquake zone.
reverse fault or
thrust fault on the
northwestern
 What is the cause?
Northward convergence
of the India plate against
the Eurasia plate produce
great pressure.

Reflects tectonic
Buildings damaged in
stresses resulting
Beichuan. from the
convergence of
crustal material
What is the cause?
 Aftershocks
Up to 22/05/2008
169 major aftershocks above
magnitude 4.0 was recorded.

Picture showing
 Immediate Effects
About 1/3 of the buildings
collapsed in Wenchuan.
Transportation networks fully
damaged.
Water reservoirs were damaged
potential danger of
flooding.
Landslides occurred.
Deaths above 60,560.
 Long-term Effects
i. To
Sichuan:
Great casualties
and poor living
environment.
Speed up the
spread of
diseases.

Landslides, debris
flowslandslide
were severe.
(debris) dams
 Landslide (debris) Dams
Natural damming of a river .
Mainly caused by excessive
precipitation and earthquakes.
About 13 landslide dams were
formed.

Landslide dams
formed.
 Landslide Dams

1) Earthquake lead to collision 1) Rocks and debris from the

of 2 mountains, landslide mountains blocked the
occurred. river.
 Landslide Dams

1) Water created dam reservoirs 1) Great casualties when

(lake), water level rises. downstream flooding
occurred.
 Long-term Effects
i. To China:
Sichuan as the centre of agriculture
& herding.
May lead to food shortage
problem in China.

Great pressure on
inflation.
As the centre of
Collapse of commercial
commerce.
buildings affected the
 Rescue Works
"Level I emergency contingency
plan" was initiated.
About 3.95 m medical personnel
were sent.
The People’s Liberation Army
sent out about 200000 soldiers
for rescue works.
UNCIEF, Red Cross, World Vision.
 Rescue Works
Recovered the transportation &
communication networks.
Rescued more than 79,852 victims.
Disinfections carried out to prevent the
spread of diseases.
What caused the casualties
so great?
Less developed areas.
Shallow epicentre.
Buildings didn't meet with the
standard of earthquake-proof.
 No earthquake warning was
given.
Public lacks awareness.
 Signs & prediction
On May 10, residents of Mianzhu observed
unusual and large-scale toads migrating on
a roadway.
Similar phenomenon was observed a day
earlier in Jiangsu.

Picture showing the toads

 Signs & prediction
On 12 May, sightings of
unusually colorful and
luminous cloud
formations in two nearby
provinces, short time
before the earthquake.

Believed to be earthquake
lights.
 What can we do?
Donate money.
Pay attention to the latest news of the
event.
Provide them with basic necessities.
Help them to rebuild the earthquake-
proof houses.
Support them both physical and
mentally.
 References
 Wikipedia
 United States Geological
Survey
 Hong Kong Observatory
 People Daily
 BBC
 Photos
 Videos
Sichuan
University student takes video at 2:29pm
Color clouds spotted 30 mins before the
earthquake
China Sichuan Earthquake
Sichuan Wenchuan Earthquake
En