Overview
China has suffered a number of devastating earthquakes over the years. A quake in 1731 in Beijing led to the deaths of 100,000 people. Two big ones in central China in the 1920's each brought about 200,000 deaths. Another 70,000 died in a quake in 1932. In 1976, a major earthquake struck northeastern China and 240,000 people died in the disaster.
Experts say earthquakes almost never kill people directly. Instead, many deaths and injuries in earthquakes result from falling objects and the collapse of buildings, bridges, and other structures. Fire resulting from broken gas or power lines is another major danger during a quake. Spills of hazardous chemicals are also a concern during an earthquake.