1920 China earthquake killed some 273,000 people, more than previously estimated

[News_Editor]

1920 China earthquake killed some 273,000 people, more than previously estimated

2010-12-16 22:11:25 GMT+7 (ICT)

HAIYUAN, CHINA (BNO NEWS) -- A devastating earthquake which rocked northwest China in 1920 killed thousands more than previously estimated, a Chinese seismologist said on Thursday.

The powerful 8.5-magnitude earthquake was centered in Haiyuan County of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in northwest China at a depth of just 17 kilometers (10 miles), making it a shallow earthquake.

In the eastern area of Mt. Liupan, many villages and towns were buried. In some places, the ground was turned into high mounds or deep valleys, mountains avalanched, the ground cracked, black water overflowed, and four cities were completely devastated.

Until now, the death toll was estimated to be around 230,000. This was based on the results of seismologists who were sent to Haiyuan to conduct field research and visited some 64 counties in 1921.

However, a recent study by Chinese seismologist Zhang Siyuan, director of the earthquake administration of Ningxia, explored more areas that covered 13 additional counties in Shaanxi Province. Zhang told the state-run Xinhua news agency that his research team had obtained more materials and records on the earthquake, providing a more accurate picture of the casualties.

And while the precise death toll will never be known, Zhang's research team put the new death toll at 273,400. This is 43,400 fatalities more than previously recorded and makes it the sixth deadliest natural disaster ever recorded.

Thursday also marked the 90th anniversary of the Haiyuan Earthquake and was remembered by hundreds of people who gathered at the foot of Nanhua Mountain in Haiyuan County. A museum, the Haiyuan Earthquake Museum, was also opened and has numerous relics, papers and other related materials on display.

Besides causing great, widespread damage, the devastating earthquake is also believed to have generated a tsunami as unusual waves were observed in at least four locations in western Norway. There is no known record of any damage or casualties from the tsunami, however.

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