The winter of 1556 marked the most catastrophic earthquake in human history. Although it lasted only a few seconds, it leveled mountains and is estimated to have cost the lives of 840,000 people. The magnitude of the earthquake was about 8 to 8.3 on the Richter scale and it took place in the Sanji region of China. Although it was not the strongest earthquake ever recorded, it hit a densely populated area, which is why there were so many casualties.
The magnitude of the earthquake was about 8 to 8.3 on the Richter scale and it took place in the Sanji region of China. Wikimedia Commons.
The quake struck at night while the aftershocks continued until morning. The epicenter was reported below the Wei River Valley, where the cities of Huasian, Weinan, and Huain were located. 60% of the population perished that day and severe damage occurred up to 300 miles away. In fact, a part of the stone forest of Lunan Yi province was destroyed.
The epicenter was reported below the Wei River Valley, where the cities of Huasian, Weinan, and Huain were located. Wikimedia Commons.
Immediately after, fires, floods and landslides broke out, while cracks were formed in the ground 20 meters deep. The Chinese described the disaster as follows: “Mountains and rivers changed places and roads were destroyed. In some areas, the ground rose and hills formed, while in others the ground receded and valleys formed. In other areas the land was cut in two and the ravines disappeared. “Huts, houses, temples and walls suddenly collapsed.” Some locals, at the time, were living in caves at high altitudes, which collapsed, trapping thousands of people.
Most of the people killed that day were crushed by the stone buildings. For this reason, in the following years they made their houses from bamboo and wood, in order to be resistant to seismic vibrations. MaxPixel.
The earthquake of 1556 was the reason why the Chinese changed the materials they used to build buildings. Most of the people killed that day were crushed by the stone buildings. For this reason, in the following years they made their houses from bamboo and wood, in order to be resistant to seismic vibrations.
source: Time Machine
