The earthquake center in Jiuzhaigou region, Sichuan
According to the latest information, some 250 injured people have been transferred to hospitals, 40 of which are in serious condition. The earthquake, which had a depth of 20 kilometers, according to the China Seismological Networks center, has revived many of the fears among the population. It was in that same province, Sichuan, that in 2008 experienced one of the worst earthquakes with one of magnitude 8,0. The balance of this was of more than 90.000 people between injured and deceased. People ran out of their homes at night, panicky.
President Xi Jinping has called for efforts to start carrying out the rescue of the wounded, and together with the prime minister, urged local bodies to act quickly to carry out all necessary relief operations. Of all the tourists, 30.000 of them have been evacuated from the area, and another 10.000 are still waiting to leave. The mountainous area is well known for its beautiful waterfalls and karst formations.
In the following video you can see the aerial filming from a helicopter of the effects of the earthquake in the mountains, such as landslides.
The northeast Xinjiang earthquake in the Jinghe region
In this region close to Central Asia, the second earthquake has caused at least 33 injuries, two of them in serious condition. More than a thousand houses have been affected, of which 142 have been destroyed. The XinJiang authorities canceled 60 rail routes. Firefighters and health teams have gone to the affected area where humanitarian aid has been sent. Tents, blankets, coats, etc.
Many people have wondered if there is a correlation between the two strong earthquakes that occurred in such a short period of time. Seismologists consulted by the South China Morning Post opined that there doesn't appear to be a direct relationship between the two earthquakes. There is too much time between them, and they point out that western China has historically been a region prone to frequent earthquakes. To better understand how seismic activity works in China, one can consult the Himalayan mountain range and its influence on the country's seismicity.
The western half of China prone to earthquakes
The large area where all the earthquakes occurred is subject to frequent tremors due to high seismic activity. This is due to the friction between the major Asian and Indian tectonic plates. They often occur in sparsely populated areas, such as the Tibetan Plateau or the local deserts. Occasionally, when they occur in much more populated areas, the damage is enormous. The incidence of these natural phenomena in this part of the country makes good preparation and education regarding earthquake safety essential to reducing risks and saving lives.
It's important to remember that earthquakes are unpredictable. However, if you experience one, staying calm is crucial. Think clearly and move to open spaces before the shaking intensifies, away from walls, trees, and other obstacles. Prior preparation and knowing what to do in case of an earthquake can make all the difference in critical moments. For more information on early warnings and how to detect certain signs, see the article on luminescence in rift zones and early warnings.