On December 19, 2023, a 6.2 magnitude earthquake hit the Gansu-Qinghai border region in northwestern China, killing at least 111 people and injuring over 200 others. The earthquake caused homes to collapse in one of China’s poorest regions, and rescue operations are currently underway. The earthquake occurred just before midnight on Monday and was felt in two provinces. The country’s state media reported the incident, and the death toll is expected to rise as rescue efforts continue.
what is the magnitude of the earthquake that hit gansu-qinghai border region
The earthquake that hit the Gansu-Qinghai border region in China had a magnitude of 6.2. The earthquake occurred near the border of Gansu and Qinghai provinces in a remote and mountainous area. The tremor was felt as far away as Xi’an in northern Shaanxi province, about 570 km (350 miles) from the epicenter near Dahejia. The earthquake caused at least 111 deaths and more than 230 injuries.
what is the impact of the earthquake on the infrastructure in the affected areas
The 6.2 magnitude earthquake that hit the Gansu-Qinghai border region in China caused significant damage to the infrastructure in the affected areas. The earthquake caused homes to collapse, and buildings suffered structural damage. The damage to critical infrastructure such as transport, energy, and other utilities has resulted in economic losses. The earthquake also caused electricity poles to fall, live wires to become exposed, and gas lines to rupture, leading to fires and spillage of flammable substances. The risk of fires is high because fuel pipelines and electrical lines rupture during earthquakes. The earthquake has also caused slope failures and debris from collapsing structures, which pose a significant danger to people. The extent of the damage to the infrastructure is still being assessed, and rescue operations are currently underway.
Earthquakes can cause various types of damage to infrastructure, including structural damage to buildings, bridges, and highways, initiation of slope failures, landslides, liquefaction, and tsunamis. The extent of the damage depends on the location of the earthquake, the population density, and the ability of the infrastructure to withstand shaking.
