Jump to content

2008 Sichuan earthquake

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Shiyang (talk | contribs) at 06:00, 20 May 2008 (Undid revision 213644964 by 221.221.161.174 (talk)). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

2008 Sichuan earthquake
UTC time??
Magnitude8.0 Ms[1] / 7.9 Mw[2]
Depth19 kilometres (12 mi)
Epicenter30°59′20″N 103°19′44″E / 30.989°N 103.329°E / 30.989; 103.329 (Sichuan earthquake) (Wenchuan County in Sichuan province)
Areas affected China
TsunamiNone
Aftershocksso far 76 stronger aftershocks (see list)
over 1000 weaker aftershocks[3]
Casualties34,073 (dead)
245,108 (injured)
as of May 19, 2008.[4][5]

The 2008 Sichuan earthquake (Chinese: 四川大地震), at a magnitude 8.0 Ms/ 7.9 Mw, occurred at 14:28:01.42 CST (06:28:01.42 UTC) on 12 May 2008 in Sichuan province of China. In China, it was named the Wenchuan earthquake (Chinese: 汶川大地震), after the earthquake's epicenter in Wenchuan County in Sichuan province. The epicenter was 80 kilometres (50 mi) west-northwest of Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan, with a depth of 19 kilometres (12 mi).[2] The earthquake was felt as far away as Beijing (1,500 km away) and Shanghai (1,700 km away), where office buildings swayed with the tremor.[6] The earthquake was also felt in nearby countries.

Official figures (as of May 19, 12:00 CST) state that 34,073 are confirmed dead, including 33,570 in Sichuan province, and 245,108 injured.[4][5] The Chinese government warned that the death toll could reach 50,000.[7] Tens of thousands are missing, approximately 14,000 of them buried, and eight provinces were affected.[8][9] The earthquake left about 4.8 million people homeless.[10] It was the deadliest and strongest earthquake to hit China since the 1976 Tangshan earthquake, which killed over 240,000 people.

The State Council declared a three-day period of national mourning for the quake victims starting from May 19th, 2008; The Chinese National Flag and Regional Flags of Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR were raised at half mast. At 14:28 CST on May 19, 2008, a week after the earthquake, the Chinese public observed silence to express mourning; vehicles, vessels, trains, and air-defense alarms sounded, followed by a 3-minute moment of silence.[11][12][13] The Ningbo Organizing Committee of Beijing Olympic torch relay announced that the relay will be suspended for these three days.[14]

Earthquake details

A USGS map of epicenter
File:USGS map at 30°N,105°E (2008-05-18).png
A USGS map showing dozens of aftershocks.

The earthquake had a magnitude of 8.0 Ms according to the State Seismological Bureau of China and 7.9 Mw according to the United States Geological Survey.[1][2] The epicenter was in Wenchuan County, Ngawa Prefecture, 80 km west/northwest of Chengdu, with its main tremor occurring at 14:28:01.42 CST (06:28:01.42 UTC), on Monday 12 May 2008.

Fifty-two major aftershocks, ranging in magnitude from 4.4 to 6.0, were recorded within 72 hours of the main tremor.[15] Preliminary rupture models of the earthquake indicated displacement of up to 9 meters along a fault approximately 240 km long by 20 km deep.[16] The earthquake generated deformations of the surface greater than 3 meters[17] and increased the stress (and probability of occurrence of future events) at the northeastern and southwestern ends of the fault.[17] According to reports from Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, the earthquake tremors lasted for "about two or three minutes".[18]

Tremors felt in different places

Places ordered by distance from epicenter (or time of propagation) :

  •  China (mainland): All regions except Xinjiang, Jilin and Heilongjiang were affected by the quake.[19]
  •  Hong Kong: Tremors were felt approximately three minutes after the quake, continuing for about half a minute. This was also the farthest distance from the epicentre felt in Hong Kong's record.[20][21][22][23]
  •  Macau: Tremors were felt approximately three minutes after the quake.[24]
  •  Vietnam: Tremors were felt approximately five minutes after the earthquake in Northern parts of Vietnam.[7][25]
  •  Thailand: In parts of Thailand tremors were felt six minutes after the quake. Office buildings in Bangkok swayed for next several minutes.[26]
  •  Taiwan: It took about eight minutes for the quake to reach Taiwan, then the tremors continued for one to two minutes; no damage or injuries were reported.[27]
  •  Mongolia: Tremors were felt approximately eight minutes after the earthquake in parts of Mongolia.[22]
  •  Bangladesh: Tremors were felt eight and a half minutes after the quake in all parts of Bangladesh.[22]
  •    Nepal: Tremors were felt approximately eight and a half minutes after the quake.[22]
  •  India: Tremors were felt approximately nine minutes after the earthquake in parts of India.[22]
  •  Pakistan: In parts of Northern Pakistan tremors were felt ten minutes after the quake.[22]
  •  Russia: Tremors were felt in Tuva, no casualties reported.[22]

Tectonics

The extent of the earthquake and after shock-effected areas lies north-east, along the Longmen Shan fault. Template:Sound sample box align right

Template:Sample box end According to the United States Geological Survey:[28]

The earthquake occurred as the result of motion on a northeast striking reverse fault or thrust fault on the northwestern margin of the Sichuan Basin. The earthquake’s epicenter and focal-mechanism are consistent with it having occurred as the result of movement on the Longmenshan fault or a tectonically related fault. The earthquake reflects tectonic stresses resulting from the convergence of crustal material slowly moving from the high Tibetan Plateau, to the west, against strong crust underlying the Sichuan Basin and southeastern China.

On a continental scale, the seismicity of central and eastern Asia is a result of northward convergence of the Indian Plate against the Eurasian Plate with a velocity of about 50 mm/y. The convergence of the two plates is broadly accommodated by the uplift of the Asian highlands and by the motion of crustal material to the east away from the uplifted Tibetan Plateau. The northwestern margin of the Sichuan Basin has previously experienced destructive earthquakes. The magnitude 7.5 earthquake of August 25, 1933 killed more than 9,300 people.

According to the British Geological Survey:[29]

The earthquake occurred 92 km northwest of the city of Chengdu in eastern Sichuan province and over 1500 km from Beijing, where it was also strongly felt. Earthquakes of this size have the potential to cause extensive damage and loss of life.

The epicentre was in the mountains of the Eastern Margin of Qing-Tibet Plateau at the northwest margin of the Sichuan Basin. The earthquake occurred as a result of motion on a northeast striking thrust fault that runs along the margin of the basin.

The seismicity of central and eastern Asia is caused by the northward movement of the India plate at a rate of 5cm/year and its collision with Eurasia, resulting in the uplift of the Himalaya and Tibetan plateau and associated earthquake activity. This deformation also results in the extrusion of crustal material from the high Tibetan Plateau in the west towards the Sichuan Basin and southeastern China. China frequently suffers large and deadly earthquakes. In August 1933 a magnitude 7.5 earthquake about 90 km northeast of today's earthquake destroyed the town of Diexi and surrounding villages, and caused many landslides, some of which dammed the rivers.

Immediate aftermath

USGS shake map
Here, the outside of a warehouse is shown to be in disarray following the earthquake.

Office buildings in Shanghai's financial district, including the Jin Mao Tower and the Hong Kong New World Tower, were evacuated.[30] Phone calls to emergency response numbers in Chengdu were repeatedly busy.[31] A receptionist at the Tibet Hotel in Chengdu said things were "calm" after the hotel had evacuated its guests.[32] Meanwhile, workers at a Ford plant in Sichuan were evacuated for about 10 minutes.[33] The Chengdu airport was shut down, and the control tower and regional radar control evacuated. One SilkAir flight was diverted and landed in nearby Kunming as a result.[34] Cathay Pacific delayed both legs of its quadruple daily Hong Kong to London route due to this disruption in air traffic services. Chengdu airport has since reopened on Monday at 8 p.m. (1200 GMT) to limited flights as the airport is used as a staging area for relief operations.[35]

Reporters in Chengdu said they saw cracks on walls of some residential buildings in the downtown areas, but no building collapsed.[36] Many Beijing office towers were evacuated, including the building housing the media offices for the organizers of the 2008 Summer Olympics. None of the Olympic venues were damaged.[7] Meanwhile, a cargo train carrying 13 petrol tanks derailed in Huixian County, Gansu Province, and caught on fire, after the rail was distorted.[37]

All of the highways into Wenchuan, and others throughout Sichuan province, were damaged, resulting in delayed arrival of the rescue troops.[38][39] In Beichuan county, 80% of the buildings collapsed according to Xinhua News.[40] In the city of Shifang, the collapse of two chemical plants led to leakage of some 80 tons of liquid ammonia, with hundreds of people reported buried.[41] In the city of Dujiangyan, south-east of the epicentre, a whole school collapsed with 900 students buried and 50 dead. The Juyuan middle school, where many teenagers were buried, is being excavated by civilians and cranes.[42] Dujiangyan is home of the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, which is an ancient water diversion project which is still in use and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The project's famous Fish Mouth was cracked but not severely damaged otherwise.[43]

A bank building in Beichuan after the earthquake. A girl was found in the ruins 102 hours after the earthquake.[44]

Shanghai Stock Exchange and Shenzhen Stock Exchange suspended trading of companies based in southwestern China. Copper rose over speculations that production in southwestern China may be affected,[45] and oil prices dropped over speculations that demand from China will fall.[46]

China Mobile had more than 2,300 base stations suspended due to power disruption or severe telecommunication traffic congestion. Half of the wireless communications were lost in the Sichuan province. China Unicom's service in Wenchuan and four nearby counties were cut off, with more than 700 towers suspended.[47][48][49]

A single door frame bearing a portrait of Chairman Mao remained standing in a pile of debris.

Initially, officials were unable to contact the Wolong National Nature Reserve, home to around 280 giant pandas.[50] However, China’s Foreign Ministry later said that a group of 31 British tourists visiting the Wolong panda reserve in the quake-hit area have returned safe and uninjured to the provincial capital. Nonetheless, the well-being of an even greater number of pandas in the neighbouring panda reserves remains unknown at this point in time. A group of 26 Malaysian tourists including a 90-year-old woman who initially were missing after the earthquake have been found alive. All the Malaysian tourists were not injured and had enough food and water. They are about four kilometres outside Maoxian.[51]

The Zipingpu (紫坪铺水库) Hydropower Plant located 20 km east of the epicenter has been destroyed. The dam has severe cracks and "the plant and associated buildings have collapsed, and some are partly sunk."[52]. The Tulong reservoir Upstream is in danger of collapse. About 2,000 troops have been allocated to Zipingpu, trying to release the pressure through spillway. In total, 391 dams, most of them small, were reported damaged by the quake[53].

China's Olympic Games organisers said that they would scale down the route of the torch through the country, and there was a minute of silence when the next leg started in the south-eastern city of Ruijin on the Wednesday after the quake.[54]

Casualties

Region Dead[5]
Sichuan Mianyang >11,874[55]
Deyang >10,341[55]
Chengdu >4,156[55]
Guangyuan >2,586[55]
Nanchong 15[56]
Ya'an 15[56]
Ziyang 15[56]
Meishan 9[56]
Bazhong 8[56]
Leshan 7[56]
Suining 21[56]
Ngawa Wenchuan Yingxiu 7,700[57]
Xuankou
Wolong
Li
Garzê
Neijiang 4[56]
Gansu 364[55]
Shaanxi 113[55]
Chongqing 16[55]
Henan 2[55]
Yunnan 1[55]
Guizhou 1[55]
Hubei 1[55]
Hunan 1[55]
Provisional estimate 34,073[58]
Estimated total: > 50,000[59]

According to Chinese state officials, the quake caused 34,073 known deaths and 245,108 injured, but this figure may increase as more reports come in.[5] This estimate includes 158 earthquake relief workers who had been killed in landslides as they tried to repair roads.[60]

Officials and rescue teams have yet to reach some of the hardest hit areas closest to the epicenter due to roadways that were completely damaged or blocked off by landslides. The chief secretary of Wenchuan county said in a short satellite phone call that there were some 30,000 people gathered at the major town waiting for help.[61] One rescue team reported only 2,300 survivors from Yingxiu, out of a total population of about 9,000.[62] 3,000 to 5,000 people were killed in Beichuan county, Sichuan province alone, 10,000 injured and 80% of the buildings were destroyed. 8 schools were toppled in Dujiangyan.[63] A 56-year-old Taiwanese tourist was killed in Dujiangyan during a rescue attempt on the Lingyanshan Ropeway, where due to the earthquake 11 Taiwanese tourists had been trapped inside cable cars since May 13.[64] A 4-year-old Taiwanese was reported dead, and one missing.[5]

Experts point out that the earthquake has hit an area that has been largely neglected and untouched by China's spectacular economic rise. Health care is poor in inland areas like Sichuan province, where the magnitude-7.9 quake struck, highlighting the widening gap between prosperous urban dwellers and struggling rural people.[65] The Vice Minister of Health Gao Qiang told reporters in Beijing on Thursday that the "public health care system in China is insufficient."[65] The Vice Minister of Health also suggested that the government would pick up the costs of care to earthquake victims, many of whom have little or no insurance: "The government should be responsible for providing medical treatment to them," he said.[65]

Property damage

Rain was among some of the problems in the aftermath of the earthquake. Here, a group of onlookers examine a collapsed building in the rain.

Catastrophe modeling firm AIR Worldwide reported official estimates of insurers' losses at US$1 billion from the earthquake; estimated total damages exceed US$20 billion. It values Chengdu, Sichuan Province’s capital city of 4.5 million people, at around US$115 billion, with only a small portion covered by insurance.[66]

Reginald DesRoches, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Georgia Tech, pointed out that the massive damage of properties and houses in the earthquake area was because China did not get an adequate seismic design code until following the big Tangshan earthquake in 1976. DesRoches said: "If the buildings were older and built prior to that [1976 earthquake], chances are they weren't built for adequate earthquake forces."[67]

News report indicate that the poorer, rural villages were hardest hit. Swaminathan Krishnan, assistant professor of civil engineering and geophysics at the California Institute of Technology said: "the earthquake occurred in the rural part of China. Presumably, many of the buildings were just built; they were not designed, so to speak."[67] Swaminathan Krishnan further added: "There are very strong building codes in China, which take care of earthquake issues and seismic design issues. But many of these buildings presumably were quite old and probably were not built with any regulations overseeing them."[67]

Rescue efforts

Road debris from the aftermath of the earthquake prevented any rescue workers from easily accessing Sichuan via motor-powered vehicles.

China's President Hu Jintao has said that the disaster response would be rapid.[68] Just 90 minutes after the earthquake, Premier Wen Jiabao, who has an academic background in geomechanics, flew to the earthquake area to oversee the rescue work.[69]

On May 12, 2008, China's Health Ministry said that it had sent 10 emergency medical teams to Wenchuan County in southwest China's Sichuan Province. On the same day,China's Chengdu Military Area Command dispatched 50,000 troops and armed police to help with disaster relief work in Wenchuan County.[70] However, due to the rough terrain and close proximity of the quake's epicenter, the soldiers found it very difficult to get help to the rural regions of the province.[71]

The State Disaster Relief Commission initiated a "Level II emergency contingency plan", which covers the most serious class of natural disasters. The plan rose to Level I at 22:15 CST, May 12.[72]

An earthquake emergency relief team of 184 people (consisting of 12 people from the State Seismological Bureau, 150 from the Beijing Military Area Command, and 22 from the Armed Police General Hospital) left Beijing from Nanyuan Airport late May 12 in two military transport planes to travel to Wenchuan County.[73]

Many rescue teams, including that of the Taipei City Fire Department, were reported ready to join the rescue effort in Sichuan as early as Wednesday. However, the Red Cross Society of China said that (on May 13) "it was inconvenient currently due to the traffic problem to the hardest hit areas closest to the epicenter."[74] The Red Cross Society of China also stated that the disaster areas needs tents, medical supplies, drinking water and foods; however it recommends donating cash instead of other items as of now, as its not possible to reach roads that were completely damaged or places that were blocked off by landslides.[75]

Falling debris, such as the object that landed on this vehicle, hinders rescue worker's progress as they attempt to cross the mountain.

Persistent heavy rain and landslides in Wenchuan County and the nearby area badly affected rescue efforts.[76][77] At the start of rescue operations on May 12, 20 helicopters were deployed for delivery of food, water, and emergency aid, as well as the evacuation of the injured and reconnaissance of the quake-stricken areas. By 17:37 CST, 13 May 2008, a total of over 15,600 troops and militia reservists from Chengdu Military Region have joined the rescue force in the heavily affected areas.[78][79] A commander reported from Yingxiu town, Wenchuan, that around 3,000 survivors were found, while the status of the other inhabitants (around 9,000) remains unclear.[80] The 1,300 rescuers reached the epicenter, and 300 pioneer troops reached the main town of Wenchuan at about 23:30 CST.[81] By 12:17 CST, 14 May 2008, communication in the major town of Wenchuan is partly revived.[82] On the afternoon of May 14, 100 paratroopers, along with relief supplies, parachuted into inaccessible Maoxian County, northeast of Wenchuan.[83]

An elderly woman was rescued and placed on a stretcher after being trapped for over 50 hours.

By May 15, China's Premiere Wen Jiabao ordered the deployment of an additional 90 helicopters, of which 60 were to be provided by the PLAAF, and 30 provided by the civil aviation industry, bringing the total of number of aircraft deployed in relief operations by the air force, army, and civil aviation to over 150, resulting in China's largest ever non-combat airlifting operation.[84]

The Chinese Government accepted the aid of the Tzu Chi Foundation from Taiwan late on May 13. Tzu Chi was the first aid force outside mainland China to join the rescue effort.[85] China stated it would gratefully accept international help to cope with the quake.[86][54]

Taiwan has scheduled a direct chartered cargo flight operated by China Airlines from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport to Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport to send a sum of 100 tonnes of relief supplies donated by the Tzu Chi Foundation and the Red Cross Society of Taiwan to the affected areas. Approval from the PRC Government has been sought, and the chartered flight is scheduled to depart Taipei at 17:00 CST, May 15 and arrive in Chengdu by 20:30 CST.[87][88] A rescue team from the ROC Red Cross is also scheduled to depart Taipei on a Mandarin Airlines direct chartered flight to Chengdu at 15:00 CST on May 16.[89]

Above, a moment of silence is being held in Shanghai, exactly one week after the initial earthquake

Francis Marcus of the International Federation of the Red Cross praised China's rescue effort as "swift and very efficient" in Beijing on Tuesday. But he added the scale of the disaster was such that "we can't expect that the government can do everything and handle every aspect of the needs".[86] The Economist noted that China reacted to the disaster "rapidly and with uncharacteristic openness", which contrasted Myanmar's secretive reaction to Cyclone Nargis, which devastated the country 10 days before the earthquake.[90]

On May 16, rescue groups from South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Russia and Taiwan arrived to join the rescue effort.[91] During the weekend, the United States will send into China two U.S. Air Force C-17's carrying supplies, which include tents and generators. Xinhua reported 135,000 Chinese troops and medics are involved in the rescue effort across 58 counties and cities.[92]

The Internet has been extensively used for passing information to aid rescue and recovery in China. For example, the official Xinhua has set up an online rescue request center in order to find the blind spots of disaster recovery.[93] After knowing that rescue helicopters had trouble in landing into the epicenter in Wenchuan, a student proposed a landing spot online and it was chosen as the first touchdown place for the helicopters.[94] Volunteers have also set up several websites to help store contact information for victims and evacuees.[95]

Foreign and domestic aid

Because of the magnitude of the quake, and the media attention on China, foreign nations and organizations immediately responded to the disaster by offering condolences and assistance. On May 14, UNICEF reported that China has formally requested the support of the international community to respond to the needs of affected families.[96]

Mainland China

Above, a crowd gathers in Tiananmen Square in Beijing to mourn for the victims of the earthquake.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs said 10.7 billion Yuan (apprx $1.5 Billion US Dollar) had been donated by the Chinese public. One of the country's most popular sportsman and Houston Rockets' center, Yao Ming gave $214,000 and $71,000 to the Red Cross Society of China. The association has also collected a total of $26 million in donations so far.[97] Other multinational firms located in China has also announced large amounts of donations.[98]

The Red Cross Society of China flew 557 tents and 2,500 quilts valued at 788,000 yuan ($113,000) to Wenchuan County. The Amity Foundation already began relief work in the region and has earmarked $143,000 for disaster relief.[99] The Sichuan Ministry of Civil Affairs said that they have provided 30,000 tents for those left homeless.[10]

On May 15, United Daily News reported that the top ten richest people of China had only donated a little over 32.5 million yuan altogether as of May 13th, drawing accusations of selfishness and callousness from Chinese internet users.[100]

The PRC flag in front of Tiananmen in Beijing flew at half mast throughout the mourning period.

Following the earthquake, a wave of donations swept every walk of life in Mainland China, with booths set up in schools, at banks, and around gas stations.[101] People rushed to donate blood and it resulted in long line-ups in most major Chinese cities.[102] Many donated through text messaging on cellphones to accounts set up by China Unicom and China Mobile.[103] By May 16, the Chinese government had allocated a total of $772 million for earthquake relief so far, up sharply from $159 million from May 14.[104] On May 16 China stated it had also received $457 million in donated money and goods for rescue efforts so far, including $83 million from 19 countries and four international organizations.[104] On the evening of May 18, CCTV-1 hosted a special four-hour program called The Giving of Love (爱的奉献), hosted by regulars from the CCTV New Year's Gala and continual coverage anchor Bai Yansong, and attended by a wide range of entertainment, literary, business and political figures from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Donations of the evening totalled 1.5 billion Chinese Yuan ($US 208 million). At 11:30 in the evening, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singaporean entertainers Joey Yung, Nicholas Tse, Wakin Chau, JJ Lin and Zhang Mingmin sang a song titled Tomorrow will be better.[105] All websites and newspapers printed in black and white on May 19.

Countries and regions

  •  Algeria: The Algerian government provided aid worth $1 million.[106]
  •  Australia: The Australian government pledged $956,000 that would be funneled through the Australian Red Cross to contribute toward relief costs. China was, however, unable to accept the offer as a result of logistical difficulties faced by the rescue operation in the affected region.[107]
  •  Bosnia: The Bosnian Merhamet relief agency has donated $70,000.[108]
  •  Brazil: The Brazilian government, through its embassy in Beijing, has sent humanitarian aid in the form of food, blankets and tents.[109]
  •  Cambodia: The Cambodian Red Cross has donated $10,000.[110] Prime Minister Hun Sen pledged $100,000 as a donation from Cambodian government.[106]
  •  Canada: The Canadian government has expressed its condolences, and has vowed to take a leadership role in responding to the crisis. It has donated $1 million to relief efforts in China, via the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC). It will also match individual donations to humanitarian organizations.[111]
  •  Denmark: Danish Foreign Ministry announced that it would provide DKK750,000($150,000) as emergency aid to China Red Cross. In addition, Danish Red Cross has sent aid worth DKK1 million($200,000).[106]
  •  Estonia: The Estonian Foreign Ministry announced that it will provide 500,000 kroons ($49,000) as emergency aid.[112]
  •  Finland: The Finnish Foreign Ministry announced that it will provide $774,000 as emergency aid, which will be administered through the Finnish Red Cross. Additionally, the Finnish Red Cross will send aid worth $108,000.[113]
  •  France: Later this week the French government will send a cargo plane loaded with tents, sleeping bags, blankets, tarpaulins, cooking kits and other materials worth an estimated $385,500.[114]
  •  Germany: As a "first step," the German government pledged $770,000 via the German Red Cross in aid for earthquake victims.[115]
  •  Greece: The Greek government promised 200,000 Euro ($310,000) available immediately for earthquake relief.[116]
  •  Hong Kong (SAR): The government has pledged to give $38.4 million for relief efforts.[117] The Hong Kong Jockey Club has offered $3.85 million.[118] To facilitate individual donations, Hong Kong's post offices and district government offices will act as collection points. Donations made at those places will be passed on to five relief organizations (Hong Kong Red Cross, World Vision Hong Kong, Oxfam Hong Kong, UNICEF and The Salvation Army) for emergency relief operations related to the Sichuan earthquake.[97][119] People in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Regions (HKSAR) had donated as much as HK$1 billion (US$128 million) to quake-hit areas in China's southwest Sichuan province by May 18, 2008.[120]
  •  India: India underlined its close ties with China and has pledged $5 million worth aid to help the victims of the earthquake. This amount would be utilised for relief material, including blankets, tents, sleeping bags, and medicines.[121]
  •  Indonesia: The Red Cross of Indonesia has donated 10,000 U.S. dollars, and expressed their condolences to the victims.[122]
  •  Iran: Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini expressed Iran’s sympathy with China on Tuesday at the death of a large number of people caused by the deadly earthquake. Iran's Ministry of Health has also offered help to the victims in Sichuan.[123]
  •  Ireland: The Irish government has pledged $1.55 million in aid to help earthquake relief efforts in China.[124]
  •  Italy: The Italian government will provide 1.5 million euros worth of relief materials, the first shipment of which has arrived in Chengdu. Earlier, Italy provided 500,000 euros (750,000 dollars) in aid to China.[125]
  •  Japan: The Japanese government pledged $4.8 million in cash and goods to be disbursed through the Chinese government and international organizations. Tokyo said it was ready to offer further assistance if required.[126] The Chinese government accepted the aid of Japanese rescue team on May 15. The first batch, include 31 members, had arrived at the Beijing Capital International Airport at about 9:25 p.m. on May 15, and they were soon transferred to another flight heading for Chengdu. Another batch, including 30 members, has been scheduled to leave Japan for China on May 16.[127]
  •  Kyrgyzstan: The Kyrgyz government will provide China with 120 tons of relief materials.[125]
  •  Laos: Lao government provided wooden material worth $500,000.[106]
  •  Lithuania: Lithuanian government donated Lt200,000($90,000) to China Red Cross.[106]
  •  Macau (SAR): Macau has pledged $14.3 million from the government and $1.43 million from the Macau Foundation.[97]
  •  Malaysia: Malaysia's foreign ministry has pledged 1.5 million dollars in aid to earthquake hit China.[128]Local Malaysian Chinese communities, started to make donations on Tuesday 14 May to help the disaster relief work in the earthquake-hit areas in southwest China. Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia, donated 20,000 yuan (2,800 U.S. dollars) while the Hai-O Group, donated 200,000 ringgit (62,500 U.S. dollars).[129] The Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) may be deployed to China to help the earthquake victims in Chengdu.[130]
  •  Mongolia: The Mongolian government provided 50,000 dollars to help earthquake victims in China.[125]
  •  New Zealand: The New Zealand government has pledged $500,000 to the Red Cross for quake victims.[131]
  •  North Korea: The North Korean government offered $100,000 in aid to the Chinese government to help people in the quake-stricken region.[132]
  •  Norway: The Norwegian government has pledged $3.92 million for disaster relief.[133]
  • Philippines Philippines: The Philippine government has pledged $450,000 in aid, and has ordered a Philippine medical team to the region.[134]
  • Poland Poland: Polish Foreign Ministry announced a $100,000 donation in aid to China.[135]
  •  Russia: A transport plane carrying 30 tonnes of relief material from Russia arrived in Sichuan's provincial capital Chengdu on Wednesday, becoming the first batch of international aid to reach China. Another 100 tonnes of goods will arrive on three flights in the coming days.[136] In addition, Russia sent a 49-members rescue team to assist the rescue effort.[137]
  •  Samoa: The Samoan government provided 100,000 dollars in aid to Chinese earthquake victims.[125]
  •  Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz has donated $50 million in cash and $10 million worth of relief materials.[135]
  •  Singapore: Singapore has donated $200,000 in relief aid, as well as $70,000 raised through fund raisers from local Chinese communities.[138] A 55-member Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team has also been sent on 16 May.[139]
  •  Slovenia: Slovenia donates €100,000 ($154,000) to China for rebuilding quake-hit regions.[140]
  •  South Korea: South Korea has pledged roughly $1 million in aid to China.[141] South Korean rescuers searched for survivors that have been trapped under the rubble of a chemical fertilizers plant at a village in Sichuan Province, China, on Saturday. They discovered five bodies there on Saturday afternoon.[142]
  •  Spain: Spanish government donates $1.55 million to the Chinese Red Cross and humanitarian aid of 7 tons sent on one flight.[143]
  •  Sri Lanka: Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said Monday that his country is planning to send a team of medical doctors and nurses to attend to those injured in the devastating 8.0-magnitude earthquake that struck China.[144]
  •   Switzerland: Swiss government will donate 400,000 Swiss francs (about 380,000 U.S. dollars) as its first batch of emergency aid to China.[106]
  • Taiwan Republic of China (Taiwan): The Executive Yuan announced that the government would donate $65 million in relief aid. President-elect Ma Ying-jeou has donated $6,500. The government also plans to send a 58-person search and rescue team. Taiwanese companies and entrepreneurs have pledged nearly $42.9 million. From Thursday, Taiwan will also fly chartered aircraft to Sichuan to ship material provided by charity groups.[145] On May 16, around 150 tons of supplies from the Taiwanese Red Cross and the Tzu Chi organization arrived in Sichuan.[146] Taiwan held a similar telethon event on May 18 where President-elect Ma Ying-jeou and his wife Christine Chow Ma personally answered phone calls on the event broadcasted all across Taiwan. Ma also made a speech at the event, asking for donations from every walk of life in Taiwan.[147]
  •  Thailand: Thailand has devoted $500,000 to aid disaster relief efforts for those affected by both the earthquake in China and Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar.[148]
  •  Turkey: Turkish Red Crescent sent its rescue team to the area with a budget of US$500,000 as an initial response to the quake. Officials have also announced that the aid might be expanded according to the demands by the Chinese Red Cross.[149] The Turkish government has decided to provide 2 million dollars in aid to China.Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page).
  •  United States: The White House has pledged $500,000 in aid and has sent relief supplies valued at $700,000 to China. Additionally, the American Red Cross (ARC) has donated $10 million, and US businesses and enterprises have donated over $12 million.[150]
  •  Vietnam: Vietnam has devoted $200,000 to aid Sichuan residents affected by the earthquake while the Vietnamese Red Cross donated $20,000.[151]

Organizations

  • Flag of the United Nations United Nations: Spokesman for the UN Secretary General Michele Montas announced that the UN would give USD 7 million in aid to China.[152]
  • Flag of the Olympic Games International Olympic Committee: The International Olympic Committee has sent $1 million in aid.[153]
  • The Red Cross International Red Cross: The International Red Cross has released about $235,000 in emergency funds.[154]
    • British Red Cross: The British Red Cross has released $49,000 from its Disaster Fund and also launched an emergency appeal on 14 May 2008 to support the Red Cross Movement's response.[155]
  • Oxfam: Oxfam has contributed $1.55 million for emergency relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction.[156]
  • Giving Children Hope: Giving Children Hope is sending a container of relief to China.[157]
  • World Vision: World Vision is stepping up its Sichuan earthquake appeal, calling for US$2 million in order to launch a full-scale relief and rehabilitation programme. Immediate relief goods, including 800 tents, 30,000 quilts, 464,000 kg of food and 2,000 shelter tarpaulins, are being provided to survivors in Qingchuan, a quake-affected county where World Vision has a community development programme. The goods are being purchased in-country and distributed by World Vision’s local staff and relief teams.[158]
  • Dharma Drum Mountain: Taiwanese Buddhist organization (法鼓山) sending aid with an advertisement featuring World Vision Taiwan as a sponsor.
  • Tzu Chi Foundation: Taiwanese Buddhist organization (慈濟), headed by Master Tseng-Yen sent volunteers to the disaster site with medical supplies, living utilities, etc.
  • Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is providing immediate relief assistance to survivors, which includes food, water, and shelter materials. Relief efforts are being expanded.

Companies

  • Dell Inc.: Dell Incorporated and its employees have pledged up to RMB 2.1 million (approx. AU$320,000) in donations. Employees' donations are matched by Dell through the company's Direct Giving Program.[159][160]
  • Formosa Plastics Group (Taiwan) alone has offered $14.3 million
  • Hon Hai (Foxconn Technology Group - Taiwan): top electronics maker plans to donate $8.57 million.

Signs and prediction

  • In 2002, a study by Chen Xuezhong published in the Chinese seismology journal Recent Developments in World Seismology (国际地震动态) reported that starting 2003 there is a high probability of an M≥7 earthquake in Sichuan Province.[161] "Sichuan is virtually certain to experience an earthquake measuring above 7 in the next few years" he wrote.[162]
  • In 2006, a study published in the Chinese Journal of Catastrophology (灾害学) reported that the Sichuan-Yunnan region may experience a M≥6.7 earthquake in 2008.[163]
  • The journal Tectonics published a thesis in July 2007, stating that the risk of a serious earthquake was imminent.[164]
  • On April 26, nearly 80,000 m3 of water that once filled the Guanyin pond of Baiguo township of Enshi City, Hubei province sank underground with a rumbling sound. Changes in the underground waterflow usually indicate changed seismic conditions.[165]
  • On May 9, an anonymous user posted a thread on the popular Baidu Forums stating that earthquake clouds were observed in Linyi, Shandong (more than 1400km away from the epicenter), and wondered if an M≥6.0 were to occur in the next few days; this was later confirmed by a user from Tongzhou District in Beijing.[166][167]
  • On May 10, residents of Tanmu village of Southwest town of Mianzhu, Sichuan (less than 100 km from the epicentre) observed hundreds of thousands of toads migrating on a roadway near a pharmaceutical factory.[168] "The move is because of the change of weather," Shu Shi, director of the Mianzhu forestry bureau, was quoted as saying by local media.[169] A similar phenomenon was observed a day earlier in Taizhou, Jiangsu.[170]
File:20080512 4f9c2ae81778dea2dd67YEU4Cf20WjcK.jpg
Light appearance similar to the aurora borealis, photographed 2008-05-12, 13:56 CST.
  • On May 12, sightings of unusually colorful and luminous cloud formations in two cities of nearby provinces more than 400km north east of the epicenter, each at about 30 and 10 minutes before the earthquake, were filmed and photographed.[171][172][173] These colorful clouds were thought to be significant in exhibiting luminous characteristics akin to auroras; however, the photographs show them merely to be unusually bright and colorful sundogs; (rainbow-like phenomena in cirrus or other high clouds). They are coincidental and not related to the earthquake.
  • On May 13, in a press conference held by the State Council Information Office,[174] the spokesperson restated that earthquake forecasting is a "World problem", and that no prediction notification was received before the earthquake.[175] The only case in the last 100 years that an earthquake was successfully predicted by an official department was the Haicheng earthquake in 1975 by the China State Seismological Bureau.[176]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Magnitude of SW China earthquake revised to 8.0". Xinhua News Agency. 2008-05-18. Retrieved 2008-05-18.
  2. ^ a b c "Magnitude 7.9 - EASTERN SICHUAN, CHINA". USGS. 2008-05-12. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
  3. ^ Sichuani province hit by another strong earthquake, Reuters Template:Et icon
  4. ^ a b "China earthquake death toll rises to 34,073". Xinhua. 2008-05-19. Retrieved 2008-05-19.Template:En icon
  5. ^ a b c d e "Casualties in Wenchuan Earthquake" (in Chinese). Sina.com. 2008-05-19. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
  6. ^ "'Hundreds buried' by China quake". BBC. 2008-05-12. Retrieved 2008-05-13.
  7. ^ a b c "China quake death toll will very likely rise to more than 50,000". Yahoo!. 2008-05-15. Retrieved 2008-05-15. Cite error: The named reference "Yahoo!" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  8. ^ ap.google.com, China airlifts aid to remote villages hit by quake
  9. ^ upi.com, China's quake horror revealed
  10. ^ a b Ramzy, Austin (2008-05-18). "The China Quake's Homeless Victims". Yahoo! News. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
  11. ^ Sheldrick, A. (2008-05-12). "China Is Hit by 7.9-Magnitude Earthquake Near Chengdu". Bloomberg L.P. Retrieved 2008-05-12. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ "曾蔭權:全國哀悼日特區下半旗致哀". Radio Television Hong Kong. 2008-05-18. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
  13. ^ "澳門將在全國哀悼日下半旗致哀". Radio Television Hong Kong. 2008-05-18. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
  14. ^ "China announces three-day mourning for quake victims, suspension of torch relay". Xinhua News Agency. 2008-05-18. Retrieved 2008-05-18.
  15. ^ "Earthquake List for 10-degree Map Centered at 35°N, 105°E". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2008-05-13.
  16. ^ Ji, Chen. "Finite Fault Model of the May 12, 2008 Mw 7.9 Eastern Sichuan, China Earthquake". United States Geological SurveyNational Earthquake Information Center. Retrieved 2008-05-15. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ a b Template:EsJosé A. Álvarez-Gómez. "Cálculo de deformaciones superficiales y variación de esfuerzos estáticos de Coulomb para el terremoto Mw 7.9 de" (in Spanish). University of Madrid. Retrieved 2008-05-15.
  18. ^ "Strong earthquake hits western China". MSNBC. 2008-05-12. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
  19. ^ 中国地震局新闻发言人张宏卫:除吉林、黑龙江、新疆无震感报告外,其他省区市均有不同震感Template:Zh icon
  20. ^ "本港有紀錄以來最遠一次有感地震". ON.CC 即時新聞. 2008-05-12. Retrieved 2008-05-12.Template:Zh icon
  21. ^ "天文台指多名市民下午感到振動". Sing Tao Daily. 2008-05-12. Retrieved 2008-05-12.Template:Zh icon
  22. ^ a b c d e f g "6:30 News Report". TVB. 2008-05-12.Template:Zh icon
  23. ^ "天Bulletin issued at 15:15 HKT 12/May/2008". Hong Kong Observatory. 2008-05-12. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
  24. ^ "Residents of highrises experienced dizzyness". Macau Daily News. 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-05-13.Template:Zh icon
  25. ^ "Massive Quake Rocks China". CBS News. 2008-05-12. Retrieved 2008-05-12. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  26. ^ "Tremor depth at 29km below surface". CHINA daily. 2008-05-12. Retrieved 2008-05-17.
  27. ^ "China quake felt throughout Taiwan, but no injuries or damage reported". The China Post. 2008-05-12. Retrieved 2008-05-13. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  28. ^ "Magnitude 7.9 - EASTERN SICHUAN, CHINA". 2008 May 12 06:28:00 UTC. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  29. ^ "Eastern Sichuan Earthquake 12 May 2008". 2008-5-13. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  30. ^ Chaney, Joseph (2008-05-12). "China's tallest bldg [sic] evacuated after earthquake". Forbes/Reuters. Retrieved 2008-05-18. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  31. ^ Associated Press (2008-05-12). "Earthquake strikes western China". Forbes. Retrieved 2008-05-18.
  32. ^ Beck, Lindsay (2008-05-12). "Strong China quake felt as far as Thailand". Reuters. pp. 2/4. Retrieved 2008-05-18. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  33. ^ Yan, Fang (2008-05-12). "Ford's Sichuan plant briefly evacuated after quake". Reuters. Retrieved 2008-05-18. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  34. ^ Loo, Daryl (2008-05-12). "Singapore's SilkAir flight to Chengdu diverted". Reuters. Retrieved 2008-05-18.
  35. ^ Jiayi Ho, Patricia (2008-05-13). "UPDATE:Chengdu Airport Reopened Monday Night-China Regulator". Dow Jones Newswires. Retrieved 2008-05-18.
  36. ^ "Powerful earthquake hits Sichuan". China Daily. 2008-05-12. Retrieved 2008-05-12. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  37. ^ "Cargo Train Derails In NW China After Earthquake". Malaysian National News Agency. May 13, 2008 09:59 AM. Retrieved 2008-05-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  38. ^ "Quake closes major highways, expressways in SW China". Xinhua Net. 2008-05-12.
  39. ^ Template:Zh icon"成都军区一线指挥所在都江堰附近受阻". 2008-05-12.
  40. ^ "Death toll in China earthquake up to near 9,000". Chicago Tribune. 2008-05-12. Retrieved 1008-05-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  41. ^ "Chemical Plants Hit by Chinese Earthquake (update 2)". Chemical Week. 2008-05-16. Retrieved 2008-05-12. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  42. ^ "Thousands dead in Chinese quake". BBC News. 2008-05-12. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
  43. ^ Hornby, Lucy. "China quake weakens Sichuan dams, cuts off river". Relief Web. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
  44. ^ "女子被困102小时获救 男友在废墟外向其求婚". Sina.com. 2008-05-18. Retrieved 2008-05-18.
  45. ^ "Copper Jumps as Dollar Falls, supply concerns on Earthquake in China". IBT Commodities & Futures. 2008-05-12. Retrieved 2008-05-13. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  46. ^ "Wall Street Bounces Back". Forbes. 2008-05-12. Retrieved 2008-05-13. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  47. ^ "Telecom services hit". People's Daily. 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-05-13. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  48. ^ "Quake affects grid, power plants in SW China". 2008-05-12.
  49. ^ "Quake paralyzes phone networks in SW China". 2008-05-12.
  50. ^ "Report: Rare giant pandas at Chinese breeding center safe after quake". International Herald Tribune. 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-05-13. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  51. ^ "Sichuan Quake: 26 Missing Malaysian Tourists Found Safe". Bernama. 2008-05-16. Retrieved 2008-05-16. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  52. ^ "Zipingpu Hydropower plant stopped by quake". China.org.cn. 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-05-13. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  53. ^ "China says troops rush to plug dangerous cracks in dam". yahoo.com. 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-05-13. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  54. ^ a b "Struggle to reach quake trapped". BBC. 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-05-13.
  55. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l The victims of seism in Sichuan, 2008-05-18
  56. ^ a b c d e f g h . 2008-05-13 http://www.scol.com.cn/nsichuan/fffy/20080513/2008513174704.htm. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |retrieved= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |titre= ignored (|title= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |éditeur= ignored (|editor= suggested) (help)
  57. ^ Over 40,000 Dead In China Quake As Full Horror Emerges
  58. ^ 截至19日12时四川地震遇难人数为34073人 2008-05-19
  59. ^ China quake deaths estimated over 50,000 in Sichuan alone, 19,509 deaths confirmed(05/15/08)
  60. ^ Yardly, Jim and Barboza, David (2008-05-20). "Aftershock Alert Spreads Panic in Chinese City". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-05-20.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  61. ^ "汶川地震重灾区急需空投帐篷、食品、药品". Aba autonomous government. 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-05-13. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)Template:Zh icon
  62. ^ "汶川映秀镇目前2300人生还 上游水库濒临崩溃". Sina.com. 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-05-13. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)Template:Zh icon
  63. ^ "China says up to 5,000 dead in one quake-hit county". Reuters. 2008-05-12. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
  64. ^ "都江堰灵岩山缆车11名台湾游客得到解救 1人死亡". 2008-05-14. Retrieved 2008-05-15.Template:Zh icon
  65. ^ a b c "Long wait for medical care after China quake". Associated Press. 2008-05-15. Retrieved 2008-05-15.
  66. ^ businessinsurance.com, Earthquake estimates high as $1 billion: AIR
  67. ^ a b c "Why the China Quake Was So Devastating". Yahoo!. 2008-05-15. Retrieved 2008-05-15.
  68. ^ "President Hu orders utmost effort for Sichuan quake victims". Xinhua. 2008-05-12. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
  69. ^ "China's Quake Damage Control". Time. 2008-05-13.
  70. ^ "50,000 troops deployed". Bloomberg L.P. 2008-05-12. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
  71. ^ "Xinhua press, CCTV Video". CCTV. 2008-05-12. Retrieved 1008-05-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  72. ^ Template:Zh icon "国家减灾委民政部将四川地震响应等级升为一级". Sina. 2008-05-12. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
  73. ^ "Quake relief in full swing". China.org. 2008-05-12. Retrieved 1008-05-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  74. ^ "四川大地震 北市救援隊60人整裝待發". Central News Agency. 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-05-13. Template:Zh icon
  75. ^ "中国红十字会公布地震灾区捐助帐号 并开通热线" (in Chinese). People's Daily. 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
  76. ^ "Rain covered major part of Sichuan may hinder the rescue". China News Service. 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-05-13. Template:Zh icon
  77. ^ "Landslides completely blocked the highways to Wenchuan". China News Service. 2008-05-12. Retrieved 2008-05-12. Template:Zh icon
  78. ^ "四川省军区12000余官兵、民兵预备役人员投入抢险". Xinhua News Agency. 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-05-13. Template:Zh icon
  79. ^ 中国国防部:解放军和武警部队全力投入抗震救灾 Template:Zh icon
  80. ^ 现场连线:汶川映秀镇生存3千余人 部队发水和食品 Template:Zh icon
  81. ^ "Death toll exceeds 12,000 in Sichuan, 9,400 trapped". China Daily. 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-05-13.
  82. ^ "Phones coming back to service at China quake epicenter". Xinhua News Agency. 2008-05-15. Retrieved 2008-05-15.
  83. ^ "China parachutes 100 soldiers to cut-off quake area". Xinhua. 2008-05-14. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
  84. ^ Zhang Ning. "Premiere Wen orders 90 more helicopters for quake relief work". Chinese Central Television. Retrieved 2008-05-15.
  85. ^ "〈快訊〉大陸核准慈濟 明後天出發救災". TVBS. 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-05-13. Template:Zh icon
  86. ^ a b "Search for China quake survivors". BBC. 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-05-13.
  87. ^ "台方擬派貨機直航四川 運送百噸物資賑災". RTHK. 2008-05-14. Retrieved 2008-05-14.Template:Zh icon
  88. ^ "華航貨運包機下午直航四川運送救災物資". RTHK. 2008-05-15. Retrieved 2008-05-15.Template:Zh icon
  89. ^ "大陸接受我紅十字會20人搜救隊前往協同救災 最快明(16)日下午包機前往成都" (in Chinese). The Red Cross Society of the Republic of China. 2008-05-15. Retrieved 2008-05-15.
  90. ^ "Days of disaster". The Economist. 2008-05-15. Retrieved 2008-05-20.
  91. ^ "Survivors found five days after China quake". 2008-05-16. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
  92. ^ Wen-Chun Fan (2008-05-18). "Aftershock rattles China rescue efforts". CNN. Retrieved 2008-05-18.
  93. ^ "周边地区灾情如何?希望知道情况的网友尽快告知~~" (in Chinese). Xinhua. Retrieved 2008-05-18.
  94. ^ Xinhua (2008-05-18). "QQ发帖 女孩助直升机空降汶川(图)" (in Chinese). xinhuanet.com. Retrieved 2008-05-18.
  95. ^ "汶川大地震亲人搜索". 512 Help. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
  96. ^ "China requests emergency supplies to aid in quake recovery". UNICEF. 2008-05-15. Retrieved 2008-05-15.
  97. ^ a b c Charity Begins at Home - The Wall Street Journal
  98. ^ "FACTBOX: Earthquake aid for China". Reuters. May 14, 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
  99. ^ "Appeal for support to Amity's earthquake relief work". Amity Foundation. 2008-05-12. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
  100. ^ "台灣民間捐24億 愛心贏大陸富豪". UDN. Retrieved 2008-05-15.. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  101. ^ Wall Street Journal: Chinese people open their hearts and wallets following Earthquake
  102. ^ "Humanitarian emotion glitters in China earthquake relief". Xinhua News Agency. 2008-05-15. Retrieved 2008-05-18.
  103. ^ Xinhua: Virtual Community mobilizes after quake
  104. ^ a b "Strong aftershock hits China quake epicenter". Yahoo! News. 2008-05-16. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
  105. ^ "王菲开口掀赈灾热潮 《爱的奉献》一晚筹15亿". Tom.com. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
  106. ^ a b c d e f "国际社会继续就四川地震向我表示慰问和提供捐助". Xinhua News Agency. 2008-05-17. Retrieved 2008-05-17.
  107. ^ "Australia pledges $1M to China". Herald Sun. 2008-05-16. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
  108. ^ "No saving for Chinese students". Newspaper Bosnia. 2008-05-16. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
  109. ^ "Press Release nº246: Humanitarian aid to the earthquake victims in China". Ministry of External Relations of Brazil. 2008-05-16. Retrieved 2008-05-17.
  110. ^ "Cambodian Red Cross donates $10,000 to help China's quake relief efforts". Xinhua News Agency. 2008-05-14. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
  111. ^ "Canada Announces Additional Support for Victims of the Earthquake in China's Sichuan Province". CIDA. 2008-05-16. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
  112. ^ "Estonia Helps Victims of Earthquake in China with Half a Million Kroons". Estonian Foreign Ministry. 2008-05-15. Retrieved 2008-05-18.
  113. ^ "Suomen Punaiselta Ristiltä 570 000 euroa Kiinan maanjäristyksen uhrien auttamiseksi". Finnish Red Cross. 2008-05-26. Retrieved 2008-05-17.
  114. ^ "More world leaders offer sympathy over earthquake in China". cctv.com. 2008-05-14. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
  115. ^ "Germany announces aid to China over earthquake". Xinhua News Agency. 2008-05-14. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
  116. ^ "Ελληνική βοήθεια προς την Κίνα". Kathimerini Newspaper. 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-05-18.
  117. ^ "$300m proposed to help Sichuan quake victims". 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-05-15.
  118. ^ "HKJC organises fund-raising drive, calls on public to donate to earthquake relief". The Hong Kong Jockey Club. 2008-05-14. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
  119. ^ "Quake aid donations accepted from May 14". Government of Hong Kong. May 13, 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-15.
  120. ^ "More quake relief donations urged". news.gov.hk. 2008-05-19. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
  121. ^ "India to give China $5m relief package". The Times of India. 2008-05-16. Retrieved 2008-05-18.
  122. ^ "Indonesian Red Cross offers donation to China's quake-hit area". Xinhua News Agency. 2008-05-16. Retrieved 2008-05-17.
  123. ^ "Iran offers help to Sinchuan's victims". 2008-05-13.
  124. ^ "RTÉ News: 50,000 now feared dead in China quake". RTÉ. May 15, 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
  125. ^ a b c d "Int'l community offers more condolences, aid over China's deadly quake". Xinhua News Agency. 2008-05-19. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
  126. ^ "China requests quake aid - Japan foreign minister". The Guardian. May 13 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  127. ^ "Japanese rescue team to arrive in China's quake-hit Sichuan early Friday". Xinhua News Agency. 2008-05-15. Retrieved 2008-05-15.
  128. ^ "Malaysia Gives US$1.5 Million To China Earthquake Victims". Bernama. May 17, 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-17.
  129. ^ "Malaysians making donations to quake-hit areas in China". People's Daily Online. May 14, 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
  130. ^ "SMART ready to deploy to Sichuan". The Star. May 14, 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-14. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  131. ^ "NZ gives $500k quake aid to China". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2008-05-16. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
  132. ^ "DPRK offers aid to China over earthquake". Xinhua News Agency. 2008-05-17. Retrieved 2008-05-17.
  133. ^ "Norway to provide aid to China over earthquake". Xinhua News Agency. 2008-05-14. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
  134. ^ "Gov't to send medical team to China". Philippine Daily Inquirer. 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-05-13.
  135. ^ a b "More countries offer aid to quake-hit China". Xinhua. 2008-05-15. Retrieved 2008-05-15.
  136. ^ "Russia to send humanitarian aid for quake-hit China". Xinhua News Agency. 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
  137. ^ "Russian rescue team arrives in Sichuan". China Daily. 2008-05-17. Retrieved 2008-05-18.
  138. ^ "Singapore to donate $200,000 for earthquake relief". Xinhua. 2008-05-14. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
  139. ^ "S'pore sends rescue team to quake-hit China". Channel NewsAsia. 2008-05-16. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
  140. ^ "Slovenia donates 100,000 euros to China for rebuilding quake-hit regions". Xinhua News Agency. 2008-05-15. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
  141. ^ "SKorea to send China US$1 million in earthquake aid". Associated Press. May 14, 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
  142. ^ "South Korean rescuers search for survivors that have been trapped under the rubble of a chemical fertilizers plant at a village in Sichuan Province, China, Saturday". The Korea Times. May 17, 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-28.
  143. ^ "El Gobierno de España donó el día 14 de mayo un millón de euros en metálico al Gobierno de la República Popular de China para ayudar a los damnificados por el terremoto de Sichuan" (in Spanish). Spanish.China. May 14, 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
  144. ^ "Sri Lanka plans to send medical team to China". Xinhua News Agency. 2008-05-20. Retrieved 2008-05-20.
  145. ^ "FACTBOX-Earthquake aid for China". Reuters. May 14, 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
  146. ^ "我首批賑災物資 150噸抵川" (in Chinese). 聯合新聞網. 2008-05-16. Retrieved 2008-05-18.
  147. ^ Sina.com:马英九与夫人在赈灾晚会上接听捐款电话(图)
  148. ^ "Cabinet approves 30 million baht to aid China and Myanmar". Relief Web. 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
  149. ^ "TÜRKİYE KIZILAY DERNEĞİ" (in Turkish). Turkish Red Crescent. Retrieved 2008-05-18.
  150. ^ "U.S. donates more than $23 mln to quake-struck China". Xinhua. May 17, 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-18.
  151. ^ "VnExpress - Việt Nam viện trợ 200 nghìn USD cho nạn nhân động đất" (in Vietnamese). VNExpress. 2008-05-16. Retrieved 2008-05-18.
  152. ^ "UN is ready to give $7 million in China quake aid". Focus Information Agency. 2008-05-16. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
  153. ^ "IOC sends $1M in earthquake aid to China". CBC. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
  154. ^ Stevens, Deven (2008-05-14). "Locals mobilizing to help Chinese earthquake victims". The Chronicle Herald. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
  155. ^ "China Earthquake information sheet". The British Red Cross. 2008-05-14. Retrieved 2008-05-15.
  156. ^ "Oxfam allocates $1.5 million for China earthquake relief". Oxfam. 2008-05-14.
  157. ^ "Urgent: Responding to Earthquake in China". Retrieved 2008-05-17.
  158. ^ "China: World Vision appealing for US$2 million for deadly quake". Retrieved 2008-05-16.
  159. ^ "Dell to donate to Chinese Earthquake Relief". Retrieved 2008-05-19.
  160. ^ "Dell Announces Donation to Chinese Earthquake Relief". Retrieved 2008-05-19.
  161. ^ "Seismic Risk Analysis of Earthquakes of M≥7.0 in Sichuan Province,China". 2008-05-12. Retrieved 1008-05-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  162. ^ "China Daily: Quake 'predicted' 5 years ago". 2008-05-12. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
  163. ^ "Study on Earthquake Tendency in Sichuan-Yunnan Region Based on Commensurability". 2008-05-15. Retrieved 2008-05-15.
  164. ^ TECTONICS, VOL. 26, TC4005, doi:10.1029/2006TC001987, 2007 Active tectonics of the Beichuan and Pengguan faults at the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau
  165. ^ "80,000 m3 of water in a Hubei pond mysteriously vanished --- accompanied by a rumbling sound". 2008-05-06. Retrieved 2008-05-13.Template:Zh icon
  166. ^ "Earthquake cloud in Linyi, tens of thousands of toads migrate in Jiangsu --- Omens of today's earthquake". SohuTemplate:Zh icon. 2008-05-12. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
  167. ^ "I just saw great stretches of earthquake clouds". Baidu ForumsTemplate:Zh icon. 2008-05-12. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
  168. ^ "Hundreds of thousands of toads out and about in search of new habitats". China West Metropolitan Post. 2008-05-10. Retrieved 2008-05-13.Template:Zh icon
  169. ^ "China Daily: Quake 'predicted' 5 years ago". 2008-05-12. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
  170. ^ "Tens of thousands of toads migrating in Taizhou". Yangtze Evening Post. 2008-05-10. Retrieved 2008-05-13.Template:Zh icon
  171. ^ Colorful clouds spotted in Tianshui, Gansu province, 30 minutes before the 2008 Sichuan earthquake
  172. ^ Colorful clouds spotted in Meixian, Shaanxi province, 10 mins before the 2008 Sichuan earthquake
  173. ^ Bizarre phenomenon photographed 1 hour before the quake
  174. ^ "国新办就四川汶川地震灾害和抗震救灾进展情况召开发布会". China.com.cn(中國網). 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-05-13. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)Template:Zh icon
  175. ^ "中国地震台从未收到汶川地震预报卡". China News Service. 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-05-13. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)Template:Zh icon
  176. ^ "geotimes Confirming a Chinese earthquake prediction". Geotimes. 2006-06-26. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)