1976 Tangshan Earthquake

On July 28, 1976, at 3:42 AM, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck the sleeping city of Tangshan, China. The official death toll was 242,469, making it the deadliest earthquake since modern seismic recording began.

Why was this earthquake so deadly? Learn about six factors that came together to create a worst case scenario.

 

⏱️ Timestamps

INTRODUCTION

00:00 – Welcome

00:18 – Topic Introduction

1976 EARTHQUAKE FACTS

00:35 –Tangshan in 1976

00:58 –Date, time, magnitude

01:21 – Deaths and Damage

WHY WAS THIS EARTHQUAKE SO DEADLY?

01:49 – Early morning; people were sleeping

02:20 – What is a survivable void?

02:56 – Shallow earthquake in urban area

03:18 – MMI X and XI shaking intensity

03:47 – Seismic hazard underestimated

04:07 – Unreinforced masonry buildings

04:35 – Sedimentary soils

05:07 – Liquefaction

05:23 – Damage hampered rescue operations

05:54 – Medical infrastructure destroyed

06:06 – Political turmoil

06:22 – International assistance declined