The Earth Shook – Tangshan July 28, 1976

On July 28, 2016 President Xi Jinping visited Tangshan, Hebei Province, toured various facilities and laid flowers at the earthquake memorial. He did this to commemorate the 1976 Tangshan earthquake.

Forty years ago, on July 28, 1976 one of the worst earthquakes in recorded history hit Tangshan. Estimates of the magnitude of the earthquake vary from 6.3 to 8.3 on the Richter scale. The death toll, as well, is subject to varying estimates. The official death toll stands at 242, 000 out of a population of 1 million residents. Others put the toll at twice that number. Another 700,000 people were injured.

The quake happened at 3:42 am when most residents were asleep.There were reports of strange happenings prior to the quake including peculiar animal activity and unusual sounds and lights. Earthquake activity in northern China is generally high due to the westward movement of the Pacific plate.

China.org reported on 29 July that Mr. Xi noted, “An earthquake destroyed this city 40 years ago but it didn’t destroy the will of the people of Tangshan or the soldiers and civilians across the country.”

 

 

 

 

Photo: Hua Jin via flickr