Earthquake rocks China
14 April 2010
A powerful 6·9 magnitude earthquake has rocked the Southern Qinghai province of China. It struck this morning at 07:49 hours local time (23:49 GMT) at a shallow depth of 10km.
There have also been a number of aftershocks, the largest being of 5·8 magnitude.
Initial reports indicate that at least 300 people have been killed, more than 8,000 injured and many buildings damaged. Around 85 percent of buildings in the epicentre region have been destroyed. Rescue attempts are being hampered by the remoteness of the region and the lack of an airport nearby.
Seismic information is available from the British Geological Survey.
Are earthquakes becoming more frequent?
A recent article by BGS seismologist Roger Musson, published last week in the New York Times, helps to answer this question.
A selection of national news updates on the China earthquake:
Further information
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Briefing note: 03/10
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