Some scholars believe that the Tangshan earthquake contributed to its downfall. This has been explained so that the latter figure includes only urban residents in Tangshan, which was practically levelled to the ground. … This later caused health problems, especially after it rained and the bodies were again exposed. The magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Tangshan, China on July 28, 1976, killed at least 242,000 people (the official death count). As mentioned earlier, the official death count from the earthquake was 242,400; however, other sources have cited the death toll to be as high as 655,000 to 779,000 people. Many experts have since suggested that the official loss of life was underestimated, that it is likely that closer to 700,000 people died. Thursday marks the 40th anniversary of the catastrophic Tangshan earthquake in north China. It occurred in December 16,… Tangshan earthquake. Workers had to find these impromptu graves, dig up the bodies, and then move and rebury the corpses outside of the city. Most of the fatalities resulted from the collapse of unreinforced masonry homes where people were sleeping. George Pararas-Carayannis. The Tangshan earthquake is regarded as the deadliest earthquake in the 20th century and one of the most deadliest in recorded history. At 2 a.m. on July 28, shortly before the earthquake struck, the goldfish jumped out of its bowl. The Tangshan Earthquake also known as the Great Tangshan Earthquake, was a natural disaster that occurred on July 28, 1976. The foundations of bridges gave way, causing the bridges to collapse. The 7.8 earthquake that hit Tangshan was given an intensity level of XI (out of XII). Several other earthquakes struck the city during the late 1970s and…. Though it took time, the entire city was rebuilt and is again home to over 1 million people, earning Tangshan the nickname "Brave City of China.". After the earthquake hit, 242,419 people lay dead or dying, along with another 164,581 people who were severely injured. With so much damage, recovery was not easy. …was devastated by a giant earthquake. The Great Tangshan Earthquake also rocked the seat of Chinese Communist Party power in Beijing — both literally and politically. They searched for food and set up temporary shelters. … 1920 Haiyuan Earthquake is the third deadliest earthquake with most deaths in the history. Tangshan earthquake of 1976, also called Great Tangshan Earthquake, earthquake on July 28, 1976, with a magnitude of 7.5, which nearly razed the Chinese coal-mining and industrial city of Tangshan, located about 68 miles (110 km) east of Beijing. Survivors were faced with not having water, food, or electricity. Tangshan was not predicted, and the size of the disaster made the response slow and difficult—a process significantly hindered by Mao's complete rejection of foreign aid. Ninety-three percent of residential buildings and 78% of industrial buildings were completely destroyed. It was the worst natural disaster to strike Nepal since the 1934 Nepal earthquake. Water, even just for drinking, was extremely scarce. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. The earthquake has had a lasting impact on the industrial city of Tangshan, which was almost grazed to the ground with almost 80 per cent of the buildings declared inhabitable. When the 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Tangshan, more than 1 million people were sleeping, unaware of the impending disaster. The entire earthquake lasted approximately 14 to 16 seconds. During the night preceding the earthquake, many people reported seeing strange lights as well as loud sounds. At 3:42 am on July 28, 1976, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Tangshan, an industrial city of 1 million people in northern China. A History of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire, The Great Kanto Earthquake in Japan, 1923, Overview of the Chinese Cultural Revolution, The Science Behind the 2010 Haiti Earthquake, 1900 Galveston Hurricane: History, Damage, Impact, The Sumatra Earthquake of December 26, 2004, The 8 Most Powerful Earthquakes Ever Recorded, Temporal Change in Coda Q before the Tangshan Earthquake of 1976 and the Haicheng Earthquake of 1975, Medical Support in the Tangshan Earthquake: A Review of the Management of Mass Casualties and Certain Major Injuries, The Distribution of Earthquake Damage to Underground Facilities During the 1976 Tang-Shan Earthquake, Pain of Disasters: The Educational Cost of Exogenous Shocks Evidence from Tangshan Earthquake in 1976, B.A., History, University of California at Davis. Jan 9, 2012 The Tangshan earthquake killed 242,000 people according to official figures, though some sources estimate a death toll up to three times higher. The prefecture-level divisions of Mianyang, Ngawa, Deyang, Guangyuan, and Chengdu suffered the most loss of lives. The Great Tangshan earthquake is believed to be the largest earthquake of the 20th century by death toll (250,000 – 650,000). The quake either destroyed or severely damaged more than 85 percent of unreinforced houses, multistory buildings, and other structures in Tangshan. Estimates of the number of deaths due to the Tangshan earthquake have varied widely, and generally lack a clear authoritative basis. As the earth began to shake, a few people who were awake had the forethought to dive under a table or other heavy piece of furniture, but most were asleep and did not have time. As injured people were saved from under the rubble, they were lain on the side of the road. Tangshan's rebirth has coincided with China's opening to the outside world, after the death of Mao only weeks after the earthquake and the rise of Deng Xiaoping a … Though 80% of the people trapped under rubble were saved, a 7.1 magnitude aftershock that hit on the afternoon of July 28 sealed the fate for many who had been waiting under the rubble for help. Updates? Workers at the Tangshan airport described the noises as louder than that of an airplane. Mice and yellow weasels were seen running around looking for a place to hide. Jennifer Rosenberg is a historian and writer who specializes in 20th-century history. They set up medical areas where emergency procedures were conducted with the minimum of supplies. The earthquake also took a toll on infrastructure and agriculture. Tsunamis and fires have contributed to some of the largest death tolls in earthquakes. The world’s third worst earthquake, in terms of deaths, took place Oct....Tangshan earthquake was not predicted. Before the earthquake, the total population of Tangshan city was approximately 1.2 million, with 2 million within 40 km (25 mi) of the epicenter. South of Tangshan, where liquefaction was the highest, the tremendous outpouring of sand caused significant damage to crops. Introduction. Animals also gave a warning that something was about to happen. Also Tianjin City alone suffered about 24 000 casualties.At least 700,000 more p… No one in this county died from the destruction caused by GTE. Some food was parachuted in, but the distribution was uneven. At 3:42 a.m. on July 28, 1976, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit the sleeping city of Tangshan, in northeastern China. Many of the medical personnel were also trapped under debris or killed by the earthquake. These were isolated incidents, spread across a city of a million people and a countryside scattered with villages. There was no such warning for Tangshan. Corpses were buried quickly, usually close to the residences in which they perished. In the city of Tangshan the intensity reached X (extreme). Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). The Mandate of Heaven is a long-established Han tradition that attributes unusual or freakish occurrences in the natural world such as comets, droughts, locusts, and earthquakes to a sign that the (divinely chosen) leadership is incompetent or undeserving. It makes the Tangshan shock, which registered between 7.8 and 8.2 on the Richter scale, officially far worse than the 1923 Tokyo earthquake in which … At 3:42 a.m. on July 28, 1976, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit the sleeping city of Tangshan, in northeastern China. Many people drank out of pools or other locations that had become contaminated during the earthquake. Later that same day, a major aftershock (magnitude 7.1) occurred in the city of Luanxian, some 43 miles (70 km) to the northeast. At least 700,000 more people were injured, and property damage was extensive, reaching even to Beijing. Since few buildings were anchored to bedrock, the shaking and subsequent liquefaction of the soil destabilized and brought down most of the structures throughout the affected area. Here are the most notable known earthquake events, based on the number of deaths. This aftershock caused additional damage and casualties and hampered efforts to rescue people already trapped beneath rubble. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Some people saw flashes of light; others witnessed fireballs flying across the sky. The lights were seen in a multitude of hues. After the emergency care was given, the rebuilding of Tangshan began almost immediately. Approximately 3,650 square miles (9,500 square km) of the surrounding region endured earthquake intensities of VIII (severe) or above on the modified Mercalli scale. 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