A series of earthquakes near Dingxi, Gansu in July 2013 killed at least 95 people and injured over 2,300, making it one of China's deadliest seismic events of that year.
Key Facts
- Initial magnitude (CEDC)
- Ms 6.6
- Focal depth
- 20.0 km
- Deaths
- at least 95
- Injured
- more than 2,300
- Aftershocks recorded (first 10h)
- 422
- Second strong quake magnitude
- Mw 5.6
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The earthquakes originated from seismic activity along fault zones in Gansu province. The initial quake struck at 07:45 China Standard Time on 22 July 2013, with its epicenter at the border of Min County and Zhang County and a focal depth of 20 kilometres.
A series of earthquakes hit Dingxi, Gansu, beginning with a primary shock measured at Ms 6.6 by Chinese authorities and Mw 5.9 by the USGS. A second strong quake of Mw 5.6 followed about one hour later, with 422 aftershocks recorded within the first ten hours. Shaking was felt as far away as Xi'an and Lanzhou.
By 23 July 2013, the earthquakes had killed at least 95 people and injured more than 2,300. The affected area included multiple counties in Gansu, with tremors also felt across neighbouring Shaanxi province, prompting emergency response and relief operations across the region.
Human Cost
Each dot represents approximately 10,000 deaths. Total estimated: 95 (earthquake)