Thousands of buildings collapse after China quake

Agence France Presse | November 26, 2005

[HAL9000]

Thousands of buildings have collapsed and 11 people have been killed after a strong earthquake rattled east China on Saturday morning (local time).

The China National Seismic Observation Network says the quake measured 5.7 on the Richter scale and struck at 8:49am.

A local official has told AFP a total of 8,072 buildings have been destroyed in Jiujiang county as a result of the quake.

"Six people were killed in Jiujiang county," the local official said.

"Another 247 were injured and 8,072 buildings were toppled."

An official in nearby Ruichang city says five people have been killed there, while 39 have been injured.

He says the casualty figures from the two locations do not overlap.

[Grampa Dave]

If this was a nuclear test, did China test one of its bombs or one from N Korea or Iran?

[The Shrew]

PIng!

[Southack]

The Chinese seismogram from November 26, 2005 is a dead ringer for the Soviet nuclear test of October 1961 as well as one U.S. nuclear test (shown below as the top graph of two).

Here's the portion of the Chinese seismic graph (morning of Nov 26, 2005) that is in question:

[Southack]

In contrast, here's the Kobe earthquake (1995) seismogram:

[Southack]

The 1981 U.S. nuclear test in question registered a 5.4 on the Richter scale, the Soviet test from 1961 registered around a 4.0, and the Sino event from yesterday registered a 5.5.

[Southack]

Here's a natural seismic event (note the gradual buildup and the gradual trail-off):

 

The Northridge, California Quake Recorded in Fairbanks, Alaska.

 

[grey_whiskers]

If this was a nuclear test, did China test one of its bombs or one from N Korea or Iran?

Holy sh*t, you're right.

(I'm going out TONIGHT to buy mucho bottled water; maybe my wife should get a shotgun. We already have enough food...)

[American in Israel]

VERY Interesting. That one does not show the sharp spike at the beginning, but is a nuke test. Seems the Chinese have a little problem estimating yield.

"Oh gee, we nuked ourselves, I hate when that happens..."

[Marine_Uncle]

I don't feel qualified to enter comments of any sort on this issue. But thanks for the ping.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Re #106

Hmm, they could have done it at a site pretty close to a city? That could be interesting. Thanks for your head-up.

[M. Espinola]

Red China used to be able to cover up disasters in the communist paradise, no longer.

[Grampa Dave]

It would be scary if China tested one of its bombs or nuclear trigger.

It would be a nightmare if China tested a nuclear bomb or trigger for Iran or S Korea.

China needs Iran's oil, and China might do anything to get Iran's oil.

[UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide]

... remember when the first tsunami count was just about a hundred or so ...

The first Tsunami count I remember was 9. (I was listening and reading at night.)

[Southack]

Please see #103.

[A CA Guy]

Sounds like a miracle of a lot of hidden death kept quiet.

5.7 isn't that big to have all those buildings collapse unless they were all built like cr@p.

[Buckhead]

I see the difference in the graphs you posted, but I don't know jack about seismology.

[Buckhead]

Thanks to you, I know more than I did before I clicked on this thread. Fascinating and well presented.

[Walkingfeather]

you know I just dont think the Chi Coms are ready for prime time.

[Casloy]

A local official has told AFP a total of 8,072 buildings have been destroyed

And they are going to put a man on the moon?

[Southack]

Thanks for you kind words. Perhaps Congressman Billybob would be so kind as to upload the nuke graphs to Newsbusters...