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Shaanxi Earthquake, the deadliest ever recorded, kills 830,000 in Shaanxi Province, China

The 1976 Tangshan earthquake was a Mw 7.6 earthquake that hit the region around Tangshan, Hebei, China, at 19:42:55 UTC on 27 July (03:42:55, 28 July local time).

The 1976 Tangshan earthquake was a Mw 7.6 earthquake that hit the region around Tangshan, Hebei, China, at 19:42:55 UTC on 27 July (03:42:55, 28 July local time). The maximum intensity of the earthquake was XI (Extreme) on the Mercalli scale. In minutes, 85 percent of the buildings in Tangshan collapsed or were rendered unusable, all services failed, and most of the highway and railway bridges collapsed or were seriously damaged. The official count stated 242,469 deaths, while historians accepted at least 300,000 died, making it the deadliest earthquake in recorded history (excluding the famine deaths from the 1556 Shaanxi earthquake) and one of the worst disasters in China by death toll.

Historical Significance

The 1976 Tangshan earthquake was a Mw 7.

Events Before

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  2. Marcello Cervini is elected Pope Marcellus II

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  3. Siena surrenders to Spanish troops

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  4. Battle of Sirhind: Mughal army defeats the Suri Empire in the Punjab, reestablishing the Mughal Empire and Sultan Humayu

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  5. Turkish naval commander Dragut [Turgut Reis] sacks the Italian city of Paola

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Events After

  1. Osep Gregoriwich Napea, the 1st Russian ambassador to England, arrives in London

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  3. England declares war on France

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  4. Dutch States General meet at Valenciennes

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  5. Battle of St Quentin in Picardy: Lamoraal, Count of Egmont and Philibert, Duke of Savoy (Spanish Empire) beat the Duke o

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on January 23, 1556?
The 1976 Tangshan earthquake was a Mw 7.6 earthquake that hit the region around Tangshan, Hebei, China, at 19:42:55 UTC on 27 July (03:42:55, 28 July local time). The maximum intensity of the earthquake was XI (Extreme) on the Mercalli scale. In minutes, 85 percent of the buildings in Tangshan collapsed or were rendered unusable, all services failed, and most of the highway and railway bridges collapsed or were seriously damaged.
Why is Shaanxi Earthquake, the deadliest ever recorded, kills 830,000 in Shaanxi Pro... significant?
The 1976 Tangshan earthquake was a Mw 7.

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January 23 in HistoryYear 1556