The region ofZhili (modern dayHebei province) was struck by a major earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 7.5Ms or 7.4Mw on June 12, 1830. The epicentre was close toCixian, which suffered the most severe damage. A total of 7,477 people died as a result of the earthquake.[1]
Cixian lies close to the western edge of theNorth China Basin, arift basin that formed during theEocene. Since thePliocene, the active tectonics have been dominated by right-lateralstrike-slip faulting.[4] The two largest and most active of the fault zones are the Sanhe–Laishui Fault and the Tangshan–Heijian–Cixian Fault. The latter fault has been associated with many major historical earthquakes, including the1976 Tangshan earthquake and the1966 Xingtai earthquakes.[3]
Based on macroseismic data the earthquake had an estimated magnitude of 7.5 Ms or 7.4 Mw . The maximum perceived intensity reached X (extreme) on theModified Mercalli scale. Surface rupture interpreted to be caused by this earthquake reached about 45 km in length. The earthquake is interpreted to have ruptured the southernmost segment of the Tangshan–Heijian–Cixian Fault.[2]
In Cixian, between 80 and 90% of all buildings collapsed and 200,000 houses were destroyed. In Pengcheng, part of a temple was the only building left standing. More than half the buildings in Cheng'an collapsed. Part of the city walls in Handan were destroyed as were many houses. Severe damage was also reported fromFengfeng,Linzhang,Anyang,Wu'an,Linxian,Tangyin,Huixian,Xiuwu,Xinxiang,Huojia,Shexian andNanle.[1]
There were widespread reports of ground fissuring andsandblows. The flow of some rivers and canals was affected. Landslides were reported near Pengcheng.[1]
In Cixian 5,485 inhabitants were killed in the earthquake and a further 1,700 were killed or injured inPengcheng. Deaths were also reported fromCheng'an (many),Handan and nearby villages (488). A total of 7,477 deaths was recorded.[1]
^abcdefghNational Geophysical Data Center (1972)."Significant Earthquake Information". National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS): NCEI/WDS Global Significant Earthquake Database. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K.
