1. Shanxxi, China
The Great China Quake

2. General Information Time: January 23, 1556 Location: Shaanxi, China
Richter Value: 8.0
Cause: Convergence of Eurasian & Indo-Australian Plates
Aftershocks: Many times per month for 6 months

3. Destruction Destroyed more than 500 square miles 830,000 killed
Incalculable cost in modern terms
Damage considered a punishment for sins
Coincided with the Great Comet of 1556
“A sign from the Gods”

4. Event Facts Deadliest earthquake on record
64 major tectonic zones identified
City of Weinan sank 3 meters
60% of population died at the time
Also known as the Jiajing Earthquake

5. Earthquake Facts Earthquakes release energy 1000X greater than A-Bomb
One 8.0 magnitude quake per year
9,000 minor earthquakes a day
Ancient Chinese developed seismoscopes
Longest earthquake was 4 minutes long

6. Sources http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shensi_earthquake
Van Rose, Susanna Volcano & Earthquake. First American Edition. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., New York.