2012 Yunnan earthquakes

2012 Yunnan earthquakes
Zhaotong
Kunming
Date 7 September 2012 (2012-09-07)
Magnitude 5.6 Mw
Depth 9.8 km (6.1 mi)[1]
Epicenter 27°34′55″N 103°59′24″E / 27.582°N 103.990°E / 27.582; 103.990
Areas affected China
Casualties 81 killed, 821 injured[2]

On 7 September 2012, a series of earthquakes occurred in Yiliang County, Zhaotong, Yunnan. The two main shocks occurred at 11:19 and 12:16 China Standard Time (03:19 and 04:16 UTC). The earthquakes left 81 people dead and 821 injured.[2] According to the officials, at least 100,000 people were evacuated and more than 20,000 houses were damaged.[3][4][5]

Earthquakes

There were two shocks with magnitudes exceeding 5, and they constituted an earthquake doublet.[6]

Date Time
(UTC)		 Magnitude Latitude Longitude Depth
September 7, 2012 03:19 Mw 5.6 27.532°N 103.960°E 15.1 km[7]
September 7, 2012 04:16 Mw 5.3[8] 27.582°N 103.990°E 9.8 km[9]

The two largest tremors were reported to be the major events in a sequence that included over 60 aftershocks. In addition to Yunnan and Guizhou, the shaking could be felt in Sichuan and Chongqing.[10]

Effects

The quakes caused landslides that blocked roads in the area of the hardest hit region, the town of Luozehe (洛泽河) in Yunnan Province, as well as cutting off utilities and communications. The affected areas are densely populated and mountainous.[11]

81 people were killed, more than 800 people were injured, and more than 6,600[12] houses were flattened, while many thousands more were damaged.[12] In neighbouring Guizhou Province, collapsed houses were reported in Weining County, and houses were damaged in Hezhang County.[13] 30,265 households were left without power; 28,158 were restored by midday on 9 September 2012.[14] Telecommunication in the affected area was restored roughly to the state before the earthquake by midday on 9 September 2012.[15] Direct economic losses were estimated at 3.5 billion yuan (US$552 million).[12]

In Zhaotong, 96 highways were cut off by the earthquake. According to the Communications Bureau of Zhaotong Prefecture, frequent aftershocks and landslides could cut off restored road access.[16]

Premier Wen Jiabao flew to Yiliang and spoke to victims of the earthquakes. He also visited hospitals and tent settlements set up for the displaced.[12]

Relief efforts

The Red Cross has sent jackets, quilts, tents, rice, and cooking oil to the affected area.[17] Sichuan Province sent medical personnel and ambulances to Yunnan for support.[18] The central government of China allocated a fund of 1.05 billion yuan (US$165 million) on 8 September 2012 for relief and reconstruction.[19]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Magnitude 5.6 - SICHUAN-YUNNAN-GUIZHOU REGION, CHINA". United States Geological Survey. 2012-09-07. Retrieved 2012-09-07.
  2. 1 2 "Yunnan Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 81" (in Chinese). NetEase. September 9, 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
  3. ↑ "Earthquakes shake south-west China's Yunnan". BBC News. September 7, 2012.
  4. ↑ "Quakes hit southwestern China, killing at least 64". CNN. September 7, 2012.
  5. ↑ "64 killed, 715 injured in SW China quake: government". Xinhuanet. September 7, 2012.
  6. ↑ 解读： 9月7日彝良-威宁5.7级地震 (in Chinese). CSI. 7 September 2012. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  7. ↑ "M5.6 - 8km SSW of Jiaokui". United States Geological Survey. 7 September 2012.
  8. ↑ "Global CMT Project Moment Tensor Solution". United States Geological Survey. 7 September 2012.
  9. ↑ "M5.6 - 1km SW of Jiaokui, China". United States Geological Survey. 7 September 2012.
  10. ↑ 云南昭通发生5.7级地震 重庆四川有震感 (in Chinese). Phoenix News. 7 September 2012.
  11. ↑ "Earthquakes Kill at Least 80 People in Southwest China". Retrieved September 8, 2012.
  12. 1 2 3 4 "Rescuers told to keep at it after China quake kills 80". 8 September 2012. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
  13. ↑ 贵州省有关方面全力开展抗震救灾工作-救灾,受灾,乡镇,威宁,房屋,-贵州都市报 (in Chinese). 贵州都市报. 8 September 2012.
  14. ↑ 彝良9成用户恢复供电 今晚将恢复洛泽河镇应急供电 (in Chinese). cnwest. September 9, 2012.
  15. ↑ 云南彝良地震死亡人数增至81人 通讯基本恢复 (in Chinese). China News Service. 9 September 2012.
  16. ↑ 云南彝良地震重创当地基础设施 96条公路中断 (in Chinese). 中国新闻网. 9 September 2012.
  17. ↑ 红十字会开展云南震区救援 救援队将进入山区搜救 (in Chinese). Phoenix Finance. 8 September 2012.
  18. ↑ 四川星夜驰援云南 72名医卫人员在彝良震区医疗救援 (in Chinese). 四川新闻网. 8 September 2012.
  19. ↑ 中央财政拨付云南彝良地震救灾资金10.5亿元 (in Chinese). Xinhuanet. 8 September 2012.

External links

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