O Grande Sismo de Tangshan foi há 48 anos....

    

O Sismo de Tangshan de 28 de julho de 1976 foi o mais grave terramoto que afligiu o mundo moderno no que diz respeito a vidas perdidas, tendo sido registado uma magnitude de  7,5 na escala de Richter. Atingiu a cidade da Tangshan, na República Popular da China às 03.52 horas da manhã, matando oficialmente 242.419 pessoas, de acordo com os dados divulgados, mas, segundo algumas fontes, esse número está estimado como sendo três vezes maior.

Muitas das pessoas que sobreviveram ao terramoto ficaram presas sob os edifícios que caíram, não resistindo à réplica de magnitude 7,1 quinze horas depois do terramoto principal, seguidos de muitas réplicas de 5.0 e 5.5. Muitas pessoas afirmaram ter visto luzes estranhas na noite anterior ao terramoto, que ficaram conhecidas como as luzes do terramoto.

78% dos edifícios industriais, 93% dos edifícios residenciais, 80% das estações de bombeamento de água e 14 linhas de esgoto ou foram completamente destruídos ou ficaram bastante danificados. As ondas sísmicas libertadas para longe e alguns edifícios localizados tão longe como Pequim, a 140 km do epicentro, ficaram danificados.

O Terramoto de Tangshan é o segundo mais mortífero que foi registado, após o sismo de 1556 de Shanxi, também na China, onde foram registados 830.000 mortos; contudo, documentos deste período são muito difíceis de encontrar.

     

in Wikipédia

    

   

The Tangshan Earthquake, also known as the Great Tangshan Earthquake, was a natural disaster that occurred on Wednesday, July 28, 1976. It is believed to be the largest earthquake of the 20th century by death toll. The epicenter of the earthquake was near Tangshan in Hebei, People's Republic of China, an industrial city with approximately one million inhabitants. The number of deaths initially reported by the Chinese government was 655.000, but this number has since been stated to be around 240.000 to 255.000. Another report indicates that the actual death toll was much higher, at approximately 650.000, and explains that the lower estimates are limited to Tangshan and exclude fatalities in the densely populated surrounding areas.

A further 164.000 people were recorded as being severely injured. The earthquake occurred between a series of political events involving the Communist Party of China, ultimately leading to the expulsion of the ruling Gang of Four by Mao's chosen successor, Hua Guofeng. In traditional Chinese thought, natural disasters are seen as a precursor of dynastic change.

The earthquake hit in the early morning, at 03.42.53,8 local time (1976 July 27 19.42.53,8 UTC), and lasted 14 to 16 seconds. Chinese government official sources state a magnitude of 7,8 on the Richter magnitude scale, though some sources listed it as high as 8,2. It was followed by a major 7,1 magnitude aftershock some 16 hours later, increasing the death toll to over 255.000. The earthquake was generated by the 25-mile long Tangshan Fault, which runs near the city and ruptured due to tectonic forces caused by the Amurian Plate sliding past the Eurasian Plate.

     

Controversial statistics

Until fairly recently, China's political environment has made it difficult to properly gauge the extent of natural disasters. Successive governments have placed more importance on the appearance of harmony rather than accurate information on damages. The Tangshan Earthquake came at a rather politically sensitive time during the late stages of the Cultural Revolution, making accurate statistics especially difficult to find. The Tangshan earthquake killed 242.000 people according to official figures, though some sources estimate a death toll up to three times higher. This would make it the deadliest earthquake in modern times, and the second or third deadliest in recorded history. It is worth noting that the population of Tangshan at the time the quake struck was estimated to be around 1.6 million and that most of Tangshan's city proper was flattened.

Many experts believe the Chinese government has never released an accurate death toll for the disaster. The death toll figure of 242.419 came from the Chinese Seismological Service in 1988, while some sources have estimated the death toll to be at 650.000. Others range as high as 700.000. The initial estimates of 655.000 dead and 779.000 injured were released by Hebei Revolutionary Committee.

     

   in Wikipédia

 

NOTA: depois de geólogos chineses terem conseguido prever o sismo de 1975 de Haicheng, a 4 de fevereiro de 1975, este sismo foi uma grande derrota para a Revolução Cultural e para o Partido Comunista Chinês - a ponto de que nunca saberemos os verdadeiros números de mortos provocados por este terramoto (foram bem mais - talvez três vezes mais) do que os cerca de 250 mil oficiais...

O Grande Sismo de Tangshan foi há 47 anos....

    

O Sismo de Tangshan de 28 de julho de 1976 foi o mais grave terramoto que afligiu o mundo moderno no que diz respeito a vidas perdidas, tendo sido registado uma magnitude de  7,5 na escala de Richter. Atingiu a cidade da Tangshan, na República Popular da China às 03.52 horas da manhã, matando oficialmente 242.419 pessoas, de acordo com os dados divulgados, mas, segundo algumas fontes, esse número está estimado como sendo três vezes maior.

Muitas das pessoas que sobreviveram ao terramoto ficaram presas sob os edifícios que caíram, não resistindo à réplica de magnitude 7,1 quinze horas depois do terramoto principal, seguidos de muitas réplicas de 5.0 e 5.5. Muitas pessoas afirmaram ter visto luzes estranhas na noite anterior ao terramoto, que ficaram conhecidas como as luzes do terramoto.

78% dos edifícios industriais, 93% dos edifícios residenciais, 80% das estações de bombeamento de água e 14 linhas de esgoto ou foram completamente destruídos ou ficaram bastante danificados. As ondas sísmicas libertadas para longe e alguns edifícios localizados tão longe como Pequim, a 140 km do epicentro, ficaram danificados.

O Terramoto de Tangshan é o segundo mais mortífero que foi registado, ficando após o sismo de 1556 de Shanxi, também na China, onde foram registados 830.000 mortos; contudo, documentos deste período são muito difíceis de encontrar.

     

in Wikipédia

    

   

The Tangshan Earthquake, also known as the Great Tangshan Earthquake, was a natural disaster that occurred on Wednesday, July 28, 1976. It is believed to be the largest earthquake of the 20th century by death toll. The epicenter of the earthquake was near Tangshan in Hebei, People's Republic of China, an industrial city with approximately one million inhabitants. The number of deaths initially reported by the Chinese government was 655.000, but this number has since been stated to be around 240.000 to 255.000. Another report indicates that the actual death toll was much higher, at approximately 650.000, and explains that the lower estimates are limited to Tangshan and exclude fatalities in the densely populated surrounding areas.

A further 164.000 people were recorded as being severely injured. The earthquake occurred between a series of political events involving the Communist Party of China, ultimately leading to the expulsion of the ruling Gang of Four by Mao's chosen successor, Hua Guofeng. In traditional Chinese thought, natural disasters are seen as a precursor of dynastic change.

The earthquake hit in the early morning, at 03.42.53,8 local time (1976 July 27 19.42.53,8 UTC), and lasted 14 to 16 seconds. Chinese government official sources state a magnitude of 7,8 on the Richter magnitude scale, though some sources listed it as high as 8,2. It was followed by a major 7,1 magnitude aftershock some 16 hours later, increasing the death toll to over 255.000. The earthquake was generated by the 25-mile long Tangshan Fault, which runs near the city and ruptured due to tectonic forces caused by the Amurian Plate sliding past the Eurasian Plate.

     

Controversial statistics

Until fairly recently, China's political environment has made it difficult to properly gauge the extent of natural disasters. Successive governments have placed more importance on the appearance of harmony rather than accurate information on damages. The Tangshan Earthquake came at a rather politically sensitive time during the late stages of the Cultural Revolution, making accurate statistics especially difficult to find. The Tangshan earthquake killed 242.000 people according to official figures, though some sources estimate a death toll up to three times higher. This would make it the deadliest earthquake in modern times, and the second or third deadliest in recorded history. It is worth noting that the population of Tangshan at the time the quake struck was estimated to be around 1.6 million and that most of Tangshan's city proper was flattened.

Many experts believe the Chinese government has never released an accurate death toll for the disaster. The death toll figure of 242.419 came from the Chinese Seismological Service in 1988, while some sources have estimated the death toll to be at 650.000. Others range as high as 700.000. The initial estimates of 655.000 dead and 779.000 injured were released by Hebei Revolutionary Committee.

     

   in Wikipédia

 

NOTA: depois de geólogos chineses terem conseguido prever o sismo de 1975 de Haicheng, a 4 de fevereiro de 1975, este sismo foi uma grande derrota para a Revolução Cultural e para o Partido Comunista Chinês - a ponto de que nunca saberemos os verdadeiros números de mortos provocados por este terramoto (foram bem mais - talvez três vezes mais) do que os cerca de 250 mil oficiais...

O Grande Sismo de Tangshan foi há 46 anos....

    

O Sismo de Tangshan de 28 de julho de 1976 foi o mais grave terramoto que afligiu o mundo moderno no que diz respeito a vidas perdidas, tendo sido registado uma magnitude de  7,5 na escala de Richter. Atingiu a cidade da Tangshan, na República Popular da China às 03.52 horas da manhã, matando oficialmente 242.419 pessoas, de acordo com os dados divulgados, mas, segundo algumas fontes, esse número está estimado como sendo três vezes maior.

Muitas das pessoas que sobreviveram ao terramoto ficaram presas sob os edifícios que caíram, não resistindo à réplica de magnitude 7,1 quinze horas depois do terramoto principal, seguidos de muitas réplicas de 5.0 e 5.5. Muitas pessoas afirmaram ter visto luzes estranhas na noite anterior ao terramoto, que ficaram conhecidas como as luzes do terramoto.

78% dos edifícios industriais, 93% dos edifícios residenciais, 80% das estações de bombeamento de água e 14 linhas de esgoto ou foram completamente destruídos ou ficaram bastante danificados. As ondas sísmicas libertadas para longe e alguns edifícios localizados tão longe como Pequim, a 140 km do epicentro, ficaram danificados.

O Terramoto de Tangshan é o segundo mais mortífero que foi registado, ficando após o sismo de 1556 de Shanxi, também na China, onde foram registados 830.000 mortos; contudo, documentos deste período são muito difíceis de encontrar.

     

in Wikipédia

    

   

The Tangshan Earthquake, also known as the Great Tangshan Earthquake, was a natural disaster that occurred on Wednesday, July 28, 1976. It is believed to be the largest earthquake of the 20th century by death toll. The epicenter of the earthquake was near Tangshan in Hebei, People's Republic of China, an industrial city with approximately one million inhabitants. The number of deaths initially reported by the Chinese government was 655.000, but this number has since been stated to be around 240.000 to 255.000. Another report indicates that the actual death toll was much higher, at approximately 650.000, and explains that the lower estimates are limited to Tangshan and exclude fatalities in the densely populated surrounding areas.

A further 164.000 people were recorded as being severely injured. The earthquake occurred between a series of political events involving the Communist Party of China, ultimately leading to the expulsion of the ruling Gang of Four by Mao's chosen successor, Hua Guofeng. In traditional Chinese thought, natural disasters are seen as a precursor of dynastic change.

The earthquake hit in the early morning, at 03.42.53,8 local time (1976 July 27 19.42.53,8 UTC), and lasted 14 to 16 seconds. Chinese government official sources state a magnitude of 7,8 on the Richter magnitude scale, though some sources listed it as high as 8,2. It was followed by a major 7,1 magnitude aftershock some 16 hours later, increasing the death toll to over 255.000. The earthquake was generated by the 25-mile long Tangshan Fault, which runs near the city and ruptured due to tectonic forces caused by the Amurian Plate sliding past the Eurasian Plate.

     

Controversial statistics

Until fairly recently, China's political environment has made it difficult to properly gauge the extent of natural disasters. Successive governments have placed more importance on the appearance of harmony rather than accurate information on damages. The Tangshan Earthquake came at a rather politically sensitive time during the late stages of the Cultural Revolution, making accurate statistics especially difficult to find. The Tangshan earthquake killed 242.000 people according to official figures, though some sources estimate a death toll up to three times higher. This would make it the deadliest earthquake in modern times, and the second or third deadliest in recorded history. It is worth noting that the population of Tangshan at the time the quake struck was estimated to be around 1.6 million and that most of Tangshan's city proper was flattened.

Many experts believe the Chinese government has never released an accurate death toll for the disaster. The death toll figure of 242.419 came from the Chinese Seismological Service in 1988, while some sources have estimated the death toll to be at 650.000. Others range as high as 700.000. The initial estimates of 655.000 dead and 779.000 injured were released by Hebei Revolutionary Committee.

     

   in Wikipédia

 

NOTA: depois de geólogos chineses terem conseguido prever o sismo de 1975 de Haicheng, a 4 de fevereiro de 1975, este sismo foi uma grande derrota para a Revolução Cultural e para o Partido Comunista Chinês - a ponto de que nunca saberemos os verdadeiros números de mortos provocados por este terramoto...

O inacreditável Grande Sismo de Tangshan foi há 45 anos....

    

O Sismo de Tangshan de 28 de julho de 1976 foi o mais grave terramoto que afligiu o mundo moderno no que diz respeito a vidas perdidas, tendo sido registado uma magnitude de  7,5 na escala de Richter. Atingiu a cidade da Tangshan, na República Popular da China às 03.52 horas da manhã, matando oficialmente 242.419 pessoas, de acordo com os dados divulgados, mas, segundo algumas fontes, esse número está estimado como sendo três vezes maior.

Muitas das pessoas que sobreviveram ao terramoto ficaram presas sob os edifícios que caíram, não resistindo à réplica de magnitude 7,1 quinze horas depois do terramoto principal, seguidos de muitas réplicas de 5.0 e 5.5. Muitas pessoas afirmaram ter visto luzes estranhas na noite anterior ao terramoto, que ficaram conhecidas como as luzes do terramoto.

78% dos edifícios industriais, 93% dos edifícios residenciais, 80% das estações de bombeamento de água e 14 linhas de esgoto ou foram completamente destruídos ou ficaram bastante danificados. As ondas sísmicas libertadas para longe e alguns edifícios localizados tão longe como Pequim, a 140 km do epicentro, ficaram danificados.

O Terramoto de Tangshan é o segundo mais mortífero que foi registado, ficando após o sismo de 1556 de Shanxi, também na China, onde foram registados 830.000 mortos; contudo, documentos deste período são muito difíceis de encontrar.

     

in Wikipédia

    

   

The Tangshan Earthquake, also known as the Great Tangshan Earthquake, was a natural disaster that occurred on Wednesday, July 28, 1976. It is believed to be the largest earthquake of the 20th century by death toll. The epicenter of the earthquake was near Tangshan in Hebei, People's Republic of China, an industrial city with approximately one million inhabitants. The number of deaths initially reported by the Chinese government was 655.000, but this number has since been stated to be around 240.000 to 255.000. Another report indicates that the actual death toll was much higher, at approximately 650.000, and explains that the lower estimates are limited to Tangshan and exclude fatalities in the densely populated surrounding areas.

A further 164.000 people were recorded as being severely injured. The earthquake occurred between a series of political events involving the Communist Party of China, ultimately leading to the expulsion of the ruling Gang of Four by Mao's chosen successor, Hua Guofeng. In traditional Chinese thought, natural disasters are seen as a precursor of dynastic change.

The earthquake hit in the early morning, at 03.42.53,8 local time (1976 July 27 19.42.53,8 UTC), and lasted 14 to 16 seconds. Chinese government official sources state a magnitude of 7,8 on the Richter magnitude scale, though some sources listed it as high as 8,2. It was followed by a major 7,1 magnitude aftershock some 16 hours later, increasing the death toll to over 255.000. The earthquake was generated by the 25-mile long Tangshan Fault, which runs near the city and ruptured due to tectonic forces caused by the Amurian Plate sliding past the Eurasian Plate.

     

Controversial statistics

Until fairly recently, China's political environment has made it difficult to properly gauge the extent of natural disasters. Successive governments have placed more importance on the appearance of harmony rather than accurate information on damages. The Tangshan Earthquake came at a rather politically sensitive time during the late stages of the Cultural Revolution, making accurate statistics especially difficult to find. The Tangshan earthquake killed 242.000 people according to official figures, though some sources estimate a death toll up to three times higher. This would make it the deadliest earthquake in modern times, and the second or third deadliest in recorded history. It is worth noting that the population of Tangshan at the time the quake struck was estimated to be around 1.6 million and that most of Tangshan's city proper was flattened.

Many experts believe the Chinese government has never released an accurate death toll for the disaster. The death toll figure of 242.419 came from the Chinese Seismological Service in 1988, while some sources have estimated the death toll to be at 650.000. Others range as high as 700.000. The initial estimates of 655.000 dead and 779.000 injured were released by Hebei Revolutionary Committee.

     

   in Wikipédia

 

NOTA: depois de geólogos terem conseguido prever o sismo de 1975 de Haicheng, a 4 de fevereiro de 1975, este sismo foi uma grande derrota para a Revolução Cultural e para o Partido Comunista Chinês - a ponto de, ainda hoje, não sabermos os números reais de mortos provocados por este desastre natural...

O Grande Sismo de Tangshan foi há 44 anos

   

O Sismo de Tangshan de 28 de julho de 1976 foi o mais grave terramoto que afligiu o mundo moderno no que diz respeito a vidas perdidas, tendo sido registado uma magnitude de  7,5 na escala de Richter. Atingiu a cidade da Tangshan, na República Popular da China às 03.52 horas da manhã, matando oficialmente 242.419 pessoas, de acordo com os dados oficias, mas segundo algumas fontes esse número está estimado como sendo três vezes maior.

Muitas das pessoas que sobreviveram ao terramoto ficaram presas sob os edifícios que caíram, não resistindo à réplica de magnitude 7,1 15 horas depois do terramoto principal, seguidos de muitas réplicas de 5.0 e 5.5. Muitas pessoas afirmaram ter visto luzes estranhas na noite anterior ao terramoto, que ficaram conhecidas como as luzes do terramoto.

78% dos edifícios industriais, 93% dos edifícios residenciais, 80% das estações de bombeamento de água e 14 linhas de esgoto ou foram completamente destruídos ou ficaram bastante danificados. As ondas sísmicas libertadas para longe e alguns edifícios localizados tão longe como Pequim, a 140 km do epicentro, ficaram danificados.

O Terramoto de Tangshan é o segundo mais mortífero que foi registado, ficando após o sismo de 1556 de Shanxi, também na China, onde foram registados 830.000 mortos; contudo, documentos deste período são muito difíceis de encontrar.

     

in Wikipédia

    

   

The Tangshan Earthquake, also known as the Great Tangshan Earthquake, was a natural disaster that occurred on Wednesday, July 28, 1976. It is believed to be the largest earthquake of the 20th century by death toll. The epicenter of the earthquake was near Tangshan in Hebei, People's Republic of China, an industrial city with approximately one million inhabitants. The number of deaths initially reported by the Chinese government was 655.000, but this number has since been stated to be around 240.000 to 255.000. Another report indicates that the actual death toll was much higher, at approximately 650.000, and explains that the lower estimates are limited to Tangshan and exclude fatalities in the densely populated surrounding areas.

A further 164.000 people were recorded as being severely injured. The earthquake occurred between a series of political events involving the Communist Party of China, ultimately leading to the expulsion of the ruling Gang of Four by Mao's chosen successor, Hua Guofeng. In traditional Chinese thought, natural disasters are seen as a precursor of dynastic change.

The earthquake hit in the early morning, at 03.42.53,8 local time (1976 July 27 19.42.53,8 UTC), and lasted 14 to 16 seconds. Chinese government official sources state a magnitude of 7,8 on the Richter magnitude scale, though some sources listed it as high as 8,2. It was followed by a major 7,1 magnitude aftershock some 16 hours later, increasing the death toll to over 255.000. The earthquake was generated by the 25-mile long Tangshan Fault, which runs near the city and ruptured due to tectonic forces caused by the Amurian Plate sliding past the Eurasian Plate.

     

Controversial statistics

Until fairly recently, China's political environment has made it difficult to properly gauge the extent of natural disasters. Successive governments have placed more importance on the appearance of harmony rather than accurate information on damages. The Tangshan Earthquake came at a rather politically sensitive time during the late stages of the Cultural Revolution, making accurate statistics especially difficult to find. The Tangshan earthquake killed 242.000 people according to official figures, though some sources estimate a death toll up to three times higher. This would make it the deadliest earthquake in modern times, and the second or third deadliest in recorded history. It is worth noting that the population of Tangshan at the time the quake struck was estimated to be around 1.6 million and that most of Tangshan's city proper was flattened.

Many experts believe the Chinese government has never released an accurate death toll for the disaster. The death toll figure of 242.419 came from the Chinese Seismological Service in 1988, while some sources have estimated the death toll to be at 650.000. Others range as high as 700.000. The initial estimates of 655.000 dead and 779.000 injured were released by Hebei Revolutionary Committee.

     

   in Wikipédia

O Sismo de Tangshan foi há 43 anos

O Sismo de Tangshan de 28 de julho de 1976 foi o mais grave terramoto que afligiu o mundo moderno no que diz respeito a vidas perdidas, tendo sido registado uma magnitude de  7,5 na escala de Richter. Atingiu a cidade da Tangshan, na República Popular da China às 03.52 horas da manhã, matando oficialmente 242.419 pessoas, de acordo com os dados oficias, mas segundo algumas fontes esse número está estimado como sendo três vezes maior.

Muitas das pessoas que sobreviveram ao terramoto ficaram presas sob os edifícios que caíram, não resistindo à réplica de magnitude 7,1 15 horas depois do terramoto principal, seguidos de muitas réplicas de 5.0 e 5.5. Muitas pessoas afirmaram ter visto luzes estranhas na noite anterior ao terramoto, que ficaram conhecidas como as luzes do terramoto.

78% dos edifícios industriais, 93% dos edifícios residenciais, 80% das estações de bombeamento de água e 14 linhas de esgoto ou foram completamente destruídos ou ficaram bastante danificados. As ondas sísmicas libertadas para longe e alguns edifícios localizados tão longe como Pequim, a 140 km do epicentro, ficaram danificados.

O Terramoto de Tangshan é o segundo mais mortífero que foi registado, ficando após o sismo de 1556 de Shanxi, também na China, onde foram registados 830.000 mortos; contudo, documentos deste período são muito difíceis de encontrar.

   

in Wikipédia

   

The Tangshan Earthquake, also known as the Great Tangshan Earthquake, was a natural disaster that occurred on Wednesday, July 28, 1976. It is believed to be the largest earthquake of the 20th century by death toll. The epicenter of the earthquake was near Tangshan in Hebei, People's Republic of China, an industrial city with approximately one million inhabitants. The number of deaths initially reported by the Chinese government was 655.000, but this number has since been stated to be around 240.000 to 255.000. Another report indicates that the actual death toll was much higher, at approximately 650.000, and explains that the lower estimates are limited to Tangshan and exclude fatalities in the densely populated surrounding areas.

A further 164.000 people were recorded as being severely injured. The earthquake occurred between a series of political events involving the Communist Party of China, ultimately leading to the expulsion of the ruling Gang of Four by Mao's chosen successor, Hua Guofeng. In traditional Chinese thought, natural disasters are seen as a precursor of dynastic change.

The earthquake hit in the early morning, at 03.42.53,8 local time (1976 July 27 19.42.53,8 UTC), and lasted 14 to 16 seconds. Chinese government official sources state a magnitude of 7,8 on the Richter magnitude scale, though some sources listed it as high as 8,2. It was followed by a major 7,1 magnitude aftershock some 16 hours later, increasing the death toll to over 255.000. The earthquake was generated by the 25-mile long Tangshan Fault, which runs near the city and ruptured due to tectonic forces caused by the Amurian Plate sliding past the Eurasian Plate.

  

Controversial statistics

Until fairly recently, China's political environment has made it difficult to properly gauge the extent of natural disasters. Successive governments have placed more importance on the appearance of harmony rather than accurate information on damages. The Tangshan Earthquake came at a rather politically sensitive time during the late stages of the Cultural Revolution, making accurate statistics especially difficult to find. The Tangshan earthquake killed 242.000 people according to official figures, though some sources estimate a death toll up to three times higher. This would make it the deadliest earthquake in modern times, and the second or third deadliest in recorded history. It is worth noting that the population of Tangshan at the time the quake struck was estimated to be around 1.6 million and that most of Tangshan's city proper was flattened.

Many experts believe the Chinese government has never released an accurate death toll for the disaster. The death toll figure of 242.419 came from the Chinese Seismological Service in 1988, while some sources have estimated the death toll to be at 650.000. Others range as high as 700.000. The initial estimates of 655.000 dead and 779.000 injured were released by Hebei Revolutionary Committee.

  

in Wikipédia

Há 40 anos houve um espantoso sismo em Tangshan

The Tangshan earthquake, also known as the Great Tangshan earthquake, was a natural disaster that occurred on July 28, 1976. It is believed to be the largest earthquake of the 20th century by death toll. The epicenter of the earthquake was near Tangshan in Hebei, People's Republic of China, an industrial city with approximately one million inhabitants. The number of deaths initially reported by the Chinese government was 655,000, but this number has since been stated to be around 240,000 to 255,000. Another report indicates that the actual death toll was much higher, at approximately 650,000, and explains that the lower estimates are limited to Tangshan and exclude fatalities in the densely populated surrounding areas.

A further 164,000 people were recorded as being severely injured. The earthquake occurred between a series of political events involving the Communist Party of China, ultimately leading to the expulsion of the ruling Gang of Four by Mao Zedong's chosen successor, Hua Guofeng. In traditional Chinese thought, natural disasters are seen as a precursor of dynastic change.

The earthquake hit in the early morning and lasted 14 to 16 seconds. Chinese government official sources state a magnitude of 7.8 on the Richter magnitude scale, though some sources listed it as high as 8.2. It was followed by a major 7.1 magnitude aftershock some 16 hours later, increasing the death toll to over 255,000. The earthquake was generated by the 25-mile-long Tangshan Fault, which runs near the city and ruptured due to tectonic forces caused by the Amurian Plate sliding past the Eurasian Plate.

(...)

Until fairly recently, China's political environment has made it difficult to properly gauge the extent of natural disasters. Successive governments have placed more importance on the appearance of harmony rather than accurate information on damages. The Tangshan Earthquake came at a rather politically sensitive time during the late stages of the Cultural Revolution, making accurate statistics especially difficult to find. The Tangshan earthquake killed 242,000 people according to official figures, though some sources estimate a death toll up to three times higher. This would make it the deadliest earthquake in modern times, and the second or third deadliest in recorded history. It is worth noting that the population of Tangshan at the time the quake struck was estimated to be around 1.6 million and that most of Tangshan's city proper was flattened.

Many experts believe the Chinese government has never released an accurate death toll for the disaster. The death toll figure of 242,419 came from the Chinese Seismological Service in 1988, while some sources have estimated the death toll to be at 650,000. Others range as high as 700,000. The initial estimates of 655,000 dead and 779,000 injured were released by Hebei Revolutionary Committee.

in Wikipédia

Há 38 anos a China provou que ainda não era possível prever sismos

O Sismo de Tangshan de 28 de julho de 1976 foi o mais grave terramoto que afligiu o mundo moderno em relação às vidas perdidas, tendo sido registados 7,5 graus na escala de Richter. Atingiu a cidade da Tangshan, na República Popular da China às 03.52 horas da manhã, matando oficialmente 242.419 pessoas, de acordo com os dados oficias, mas segundo algumas fontes esse número está estimado como sendo três vezes maior.

Muitas das pessoas que sobreviveram ao terramoto ficaram presas sob os edifícios que caíram, não resistindo à réplica de magnitude 7,1 15 horas depois do terramoto principal, seguidos de muitas réplicas de 5.0 e 5.5. Muitas pessoas afirmaram ter visto luzes estranhas na noite anterior ao terramoto, que ficaram conhecidas como as luzes do terramoto.

78% dos edifícios industriais, 93% dos edifícios residenciais, 80% das estações de bombeamento de água e 14 linhas de esgoto ou foram completamente destruídos ou ficaram bastante danificados. As ondas sísmicas libertadas para longe e alguns edifícios localizados tão longe como Pequim, a 140 km do epicentro, ficaram danificados.

O Terramoto de Tangshan é o segundo mais mortífero que foi registado, ficando após o sismo de 1556 de Shanxi, também na China, onde foram registados 830.000 mortos; contudo, documentos deste período são muito difíceis de encontrar.

in Wikipédia

  

The Tangshan Earthquake, also known as the Great Tangshan Earthquake, was a natural disaster that occurred on Wednesday, July 28, 1976. It is believed to be the largest earthquake of the 20th century by death toll. The epicenter of the earthquake was near Tangshan in Hebei, People's Republic of China, an industrial city with approximately one million inhabitants. The number of deaths initially reported by the Chinese government was 655.000, but this number has since been stated to be around 240.000 to 255.000. Another report indicates that the actual death toll was much higher, at approximately 650.000, and explains that the lower estimates are limited to Tangshan and exclude fatalities in the densely populated surrounding areas.

A further 164.000 people were recorded as being severely injured. The earthquake occurred between a series of political events involving the Communist Party of China, ultimately leading to the expulsion of the ruling Gang of Four by Mao's chosen successor, Hua Guofeng. In traditional Chinese thought, natural disasters are seen as a precursor of dynastic change.

The earthquake hit in the early morning, at 03.42.53,8 local time (1976 July 27 19.42.53,8 UTC), and lasted 14 to 16 seconds. Chinese government official sources state a magnitude of 7,8 on the Richter magnitude scale, though some sources listed it as high as 8,2. It was followed by a major 7,1 magnitude aftershock some 16 hours later, increasing the death toll to over 255.000. The earthquake was generated by the 25-mile long Tangshan Fault, which runs near the city and ruptured due to tectonic forces caused by the Amurian Plate sliding past the Eurasian Plate.

Controversial statistics

Until fairly recently, China's political environment has made it difficult to properly gauge the extent of natural disasters. Successive governments have placed more importance on the appearance of harmony rather than accurate information on damages. The Tangshan Earthquake came at a rather politically sensitive time during the late stages of the Cultural Revolution, making accurate statistics especially difficult to find. The Tangshan earthquake killed 242.000 people according to official figures, though some sources estimate a death toll up to three times higher. This would make it the deadliest earthquake in modern times, and the second or third deadliest in recorded history. It is worth noting that the population of Tangshan at the time the quake struck was estimated to be around 1.6 million and that most of Tangshan's city proper was flattened.

Many experts believe the Chinese government has never released an accurate death toll for the disaster. The death toll figure of 242.419 came from the Chinese Seismological Service in 1988, while some sources have estimated the death toll to be at 650.000. Others range as high as 700.000. The initial estimates of 655.000 dead and 779.000 injured were released by Hebei Revolutionary Committee.

in Wikipédia

O sismo que mais mortos provocou no século XX foi há 37 anos

The Tangshan Earthquake, also known as the Great Tangshan Earthquake, was a natural disaster that occurred on Wednesday, July 28, 1976. It is believed to be the largest earthquake of the 20th century by death toll. The epicenter of the earthquake was near Tangshan in Hebei, People's Republic of China, an industrial city with approximately one million inhabitants. The number of deaths initially reported by the Chinese government was 655,000, but this number has since been stated to be around 240,000 to 255,000. Another report indicates that the actual death toll was much higher, at approximately 650,000 and explains that the lower estimates are limited to Tangshan and exclude fatalities in the densely populated surrounding areas.

A further 164,000 people were recorded as being severely injured. The earthquake occurred between a series of political events involving the Communist Party of China, ultimately leading to the expulsion of the ruling Gang of Four by Mao's chosen successor Hua Guofeng. In traditional Chinese thought, natural disasters are seen as a precursor of dynastic change.

The earthquake hit in the early morning, at 03:42:53.8 local time (1976 July 27 19:42:53.8 UTC), and lasted 14 to 16 seconds. Chinese government official sources state a magnitude of 7.8 on the Richter magnitude scale, though some sources listed it as high as 8.2. It was followed by a major 7.1 magnitude aftershock some 16 hours later, increasing the death toll to over 255,000. The earthquake was generated by the 25-mile long Tangshan Fault, which runs near the city and ruptured due to tectonic forces caused by the Amurian Plate sliding past the Eurasian Plate.

(...)

  

Controversial statistics

Until fairly recently, China's political environment has made it difficult to properly gauge the extent of natural disasters. Successive governments have placed more importance on the appearance of harmony rather than accurate information on damages. The Tangshan Earthquake came at a rather politically sensitive time during the late stages of the Cultural Revolution, making accurate statistics especially difficult to find. The Tangshan earthquake killed 242,000 people according to official figures, though some sources estimate a death toll up to three times higher. This would make it the deadliest earthquake in modern times, and the second or third deadliest in recorded history. It is worth noting that the population of Tangshan at the time the quake struck was estimated to be around 1.6 million and that most of Tangshan's city proper was flattened.

Many experts believe the Chinese government has never released an accurate death toll for the disaster. The death toll figure of 242,419 came from the Chinese Seismological Service in 1988, while some sources have estimated the death toll to be at 650,000. Others range as high as 700,000. The initial estimates of 655,000 dead and 779,000 injured were released by Hebei Revolutionary Committee.

A Tangshan earthquake memorial in Tianjin

Aftermath

The Chinese government refused to accept international aid from the United Nations, and insisted on self-reliance. Shanghai sent 56 medical teams to Tangshan, in addition to the People's Liberation Army who were assisting while also trying to fix their tarnished image of Red guards destructions earlier. Rebuilding infrastructure started immediately in Tangshan, and the city was completely rebuilt. Today Tangshan city is home to nearly three million people and is known as "Brave City of China."

Political aftermath

The earthquake came in one of the most dramatic years in the history of the People's Republic. The earthquake was preceded by the death of Zhou Enlai in earlier months and followed by the death of Mao Zedong in September. The political repercussions of the disaster and its aftermath contributed to the end of the Cultural Revolution. Mao's chosen successor Hua Guofeng showed concern, thereby solidifying his status as China's leader. He, with Chen Yonggui, made a personal visit to Tangshan on August 4 to survey the damage and was photographed in the tasks of cleaning up and comforting the survivors.

Leaders who opposed the return of Deng Xiaoping, especially the group which became known as Gang of Four, filled the press with concern for the victims, but explicitly said that the nation should not be diverted by the earthquake, and that the priority was to denounce Deng instead. Jiang Qing was widely quoted as saying "There were merely several hundred thousand deaths. So what? Denouncing Deng Xiaoping concerns 800 million people." Other Gang of Four slogans said: "Be alert to Deng Xiaoping's criminal attempt to exploit earthquake phobia to suppress revolution!"

in Wikipédia

NOTA: depois de terem previsto o sismo de 1975 de Haicheng, a 4 de fevereiro de 1975, este sismo foi uma grande derrota para a Revolução Cultural e para o Partido Comunista Chinês - a ponto de, ainda hoje, não sabermos os números reais de mortos provocados por este desastre natural...

O Processo do Sismo de L'Aquila visto pelo jornal espanhol El País

Siete condenados por despreciar el riesgo de terremoto en L’Aquila

¿Se puede predecir un terremoto?

¿Que lo paguen los científicos?

E os professores bambos lá do sítio ficam cá fora...?!? (parte dois)

Sismo causou a morte de 309 pessoas em 2009

Seis cientistas condenados a seis anos de prisão por subestimarem riscos do terramoto de Áquila

A acusação sublinhou que Bernardo De Barnardinis, na foto, disse aos jornalistas que a actividade sísmica na região não representava “qualquer perigo”

Um tribunal italiano condenou nesta segunda-feira a seis anos de prisão seis cientistas e um antigo responsável governamental por homicídio involuntário, depois de ter considerado que subestimaram os riscos relativos ao terramoto em Áquila, que causou a morte de 309 pessoas. 

O terramoto de 6,3 de magnitude ocorreu a 6 de abril de 2009 e devastou a cidade italiana de Áquila. Os seis cientistas especialistas em sismos e o subdirector da protecção civil, Bernardo De Barnardinis, foram depois acusados de desvalorizar os riscos. A acusação pediu que fossem condenados a quatro anos de prisão, mas o Tribunal de Abruzzes, em Itália, anunciou hoje uma sentença de seis anos de prisão.

A defesa alegou que não haveria forma de prever um terramoto daquela dimensão, mas a acusação defendeu que os sete membros da Comissão Nacional para a Previsão e Prevenção de Grandes Riscos não informaram a população sobre a possibilidade de um terramoto para que esta pudesse proteger-se.

Os seis cientistas e o antigo responsável da protecção civil foram acusados de ter fornecido informação “incompleta e contraditória” sobre os perigos relativos aos abalos que se sentiram antes do sismo de 6 de abril, segundo a imprensa italiana. Este caso inédito alarmou a comunidade científica e levou cerca de 5000 cientistas a assinar uma carta aberta ao Presidente italiano, Giorgio Napolitano, em defesa dos acusados.

“Estou desencorajado, desesperado. Pensei que seria absolvido e não compreendo de todo de que sou acusado”, disse um dos cientistas, Enzo Boschi, que até há pouco tempo era presidente do Instituto Nacional de Geofísica e Vulcanologia italiano. “Este julgamento é injusto, iremos apresentar recurso”, adiantou à saída do tribunal Alessandra Stefano, advogada de um dos condenados, Gian Michel Calvi.

A acusação, por outro lado, congratulou-se com o que considerou ser “uma sentença histórica, antes de mais para as vítimas”. Wanie della Vigna, advogada representante 11 partes civis que participaram na acusação, entre elas a família de um estudante israelita que morreu na sequência no terramoto, considerou, citada pela AFP, que esta sentença “é um passo em frente para o sistema judicial e conduzirá certamente a mudanças, não só em Itália como no mundo inteiro”.

Na sala de audiências, onde o juiz Marco Billi leu a sentença durante quase quatro horas, estiveram presentes vários familiares de vítimas, como Aldo Scimia, que perdeu a mãe no terramoto e agora disse à AFP: “Continuo a dizer que isto foi um massacre cometido pelo Estado, mas pelo menos espero que os nossos filhos possam ter vidas mais seguras.”

A acusação sublinhou que Bernardo De Barnardinis chegou a dizer aos jornalistas que a actividade sísmica que se registava na região não representava “qualquer perigo”. A comissão para a prevenção de risco reuniu-se poucos dias antes do terramoto, a 31 de março de 2009, para avaliar a actividade sísmica nos meses anteriores e dar indicações às autoridades locais sobre eventuais medidas a adoptar, tendo sublinhado a impossibilidade de prever um sismo mais forte e a necessidade de respeitar medidas anti-sísmicas relacionadas com a construção de edifícios.

in Público - ler notícia

NOTA: a partir de agora, em Itália, se um médico falhar no diagnóstico, poderá ser preso - esperemos que a medida se aplique também aos políticos que não ouvem os geólogos quando estes referem problemas geológicos de certas regiões ou aos astrólogos, quiromantes e afins...

E os professores bambos lá do sítio ficam cá fora...?!?

Tragédia causou a morte a mais de 300 pessoas
Seis anos de prisão por não terem previsto sismo

O sismo destruiu edifícios e monumentos históricos e causou a morte a mais de 300 pessoas na cidade de L'Aquila

Seis cientistas italianos e um ex-responsável governamental, acusados de subestimar os riscos antes do mortífero sismo de L’Aquila, em 2009, foram esta segunda-feira condenados a seis anos de prisão por homicídio por negligência.

No final de setembro, a procuradoria tinha pedido quatro anos de cadeia para a comissão italiana de “grandes riscos”, que, se reuniu a 31 de março de 2009, apenas seis dias antes do sismo que vitimou mais de 300 pessoas.

A Justiça considerou que os acusados não informaram a população do risco que corria de modo a tomar medidas de precaução.

Entre os sete acusados estão grandes figuras da ciência em Itália, como o professor Enzo Boschi, que até há pouco tempo presidiu ao Instituto Nacional de Geofísica, e o professor de Física Claudio Eva.

Mais de 400 sismos abalaram a região durante quatro meses, mas as autoridades não tomaram medidas específicas para alertar a população.

in CM - ler notícia

NOTA: há algo de estranho nesta notícia e nesta sentença - pois não se pode (ainda...) prever sismos. Se foi por outro motivo, seria preciso que o clarificassem na notícia, pois quem prevê sismos são os astrólogos e outros charlatães (e quando erram não vão para a prisão).

O sismo que provocou mais mortos no século XX foi há 36 anos

O Sismo de Tangshan de 28 de julho de 1976 foi o mais grave terramoto que afligiu o mundo moderno em relação às vidas perdidas, tendo sido registados 7,5 graus na escala de Richter. Atingiu a cidade da Tangshan, na República Popular da China às 03.52 horas da manhã, matando 242.419 pessoas, de acordo com os dados oficias, mas segundo algumas fontes esse número está estimado como sendo três vezes maior.

Muitas das pessoas que sobreviveram ao terramoto ficaram presas sob os edifícios que caíram, não resistindo à réplica de magnitude 7,1 quinze horas depois do terramoto principal, seguidos de muitas réplicas de 5,0 e 5,5. Muitas pessoas afirmaram ter visto luzes estranhas na noite anterior ao terramoto, que ficaram conhecidas como as luzes do terramoto.

78% dos edifícios industriais, 93% dos edifícios residenciais, 80% das estações de bombeamento de água e 14 linhas de esgoto ou foram completamente destruídos ou ficaram bastante danificados. As ondas sísmicas libertadas para longe e alguns edifícios localizados tão longe como Pequim, a 140 km do epicentro, ficaram danificados.

O Terramoto de Tangshan é o segundo mais mortífero que foi registado, ficando após o sismo de 1556 de Shanxi, também na China, onde foram registados 830.000 mortos; contudo, documentos deste período são muito difíceis de encontrar.

in Wikipédia 

NOTA: depois do sismo de Haicheng, em 4 de fevereiro de 1975, com magnitude de 7,3 e potencial de estragos e mortos igual ou superior a este terramoto, ter sido corretamente previsto e provocando apenas algumas centenas de mortos (os que desobedeceram à ordem de evacuação...), este foi um desaire que a China nunca pensou que fosse possível - e ainda hoje não se sabe o número real de mortos por causa disso.

A previsão de sismos e os sapos italianos

Sapos conseguem prever tremores de terra com dias de antecedência

02.12.2011 - Helena Geraldes

Os sapos, como este do fluviário de Mora, são muito sensíveis às alterações químicas na água

A debandada geral de uma colónia de sapos num lago em L'Aquila, Itália, dias antes de um sismo em 2009 surpreendeu uma equipa de investigadores. Depois de anos de estudo concluíram que estes anfíbios conseguem prever os tremores de terra com vários dias de antecedência.

A bióloga da Universidade Aberta do Reino Unido, Rachel Grant, monitorizava uma colónia de sapos-comuns (Bufo bufo) num lago em L’Aquila, Itália, quando tudo aconteceu. “Foi dramático. Em apenas três dias, a colónia passou de 96 sapos para zero”, disse a investigadora à BBC, que publicou os seus dados na revista Journal of Zoology.

O estudo revela que os sapos “mostraram um comportamento muito pouco habitual antes do sismo de magnitude 6.3 na escala de Richter em L’Aquila, em Itália, a 6 de Abril de 2009”. “Dias antes do sismo, os sapos desapareceram subitamente dos seus locais de reprodução num pequeno lago a 75 quilómetros do epicentro e só regressaram depois de uma série de réplicas”, acrescenta o estudo.

Pouco tempo depois, Rachel Grant foi contactada pela NASA (agência espacial norte-americana), que estudava as alterações químicas que ocorrem quando as rochas estão sob stress extremo.

Com base em testes em laboratório, a equipa de sete investigadores coordenada pelo geofísico Friedemann Freund, da NASA, concluiu que os animais detectam as alterações químicas na água subterrânea, causadas pela libertação de partículas através das rochas na crosta terrestre que estão em tensão, devido às forças tectónicas antes de um sismo. Esta cadeia química pode afectar o material orgânico dissolvido nas águas de um lago, transformando materiais inofensivos em substâncias que são tóxicas para os animais aquáticos.

Segundo a equipa de investigação, que publicou as suas conclusões na revista Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, os animais que vivem nessas águas ou perto delas são extremamente sensíveis às mudanças na sua composição química.

Os investigadores acreditam que biólogos e geólogos podem trabalhar em conjunto para preparar melhor a chegada de um sismo. Freund diz que o comportamento destes animais pode ser apenas um de uma cadeia de eventos que podem prever um sismo. “Quando compreendermos de que forma estes sinais estão ligados e se virmos quatro ou cinco a apontar na mesma direcção, então podemos dizer que algo está para acontecer.”

in Público - ler notícia