2009 Xinjiang earthquake

2009 Xinjiang earthquake
Date 25 January 2009 (2009-01-25)
Magnitude 5.0 Mw
Depth 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)
Epicenter 43°18′N 80°54′E / 43.3°N 80.9°E / 43.3; 80.9Coordinates: 43°18′N 80°54′E / 43.3°N 80.9°E / 43.3; 80.9
Areas affected China
Total damage $US 3.1 million
Casualties none

The 2009 Xinjiang earthquake occurred in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China. It occurred at 9:47 a.m in Qapqal on January 25, 2009.[1]

Location

The epicenter was at 43.3 degrees north latitude and 80.9 degrees east longitude at a depth of 10 km according to the China Earthquake Administration. The quake occurred 700 km from the regional capital Urumqi.[1]

Damage

The quake measured 5.0 on the Richter scale on Sunday. It has affected more than 4,500 people and caused house collapses and damages. In total, 4,549 people in the Xibe Autonomous County of Qapqal and Zhaosu County were affected. They have been relocated to schools, government buildings and tents, said a regional civil affairs department official. No casualties have been reported so far.[1]

A total of 198 houses collapsed and 2,928 were damaged. The direct economic loss was estimated at 21 million yuan ($US 3.1 million).[1]

Zodiac

According to the Chinese zodiac the Xinjiang earthquake occurred on the last day of the year of the Rat. Previously the year of the Rat was known as a negative year for China including the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, 2008 Tibetan unrest, 2008 milk scandal and many more events.[2]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Xinhuanet.com. "Xinhuanet.com." More than 4,500 people affected in NW China earthquake. Retrieved on 2009-01-26.
  2. ↑ NYtimes. "NYtimes.com." Chinese Hope for Bullish Year of the Ox. Retrieved on 2009-01-26.
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