Deadliest Earthquake in History: 830,000 Die in Shaanxi, China
The Shaanxi earthquake shattered northern China in 1556, leveling homes and triggering landslides that buried entire villages under collapsing loess plateaus. This catastrophe claimed an estimated 830,000 lives, making it the deadliest seismic event ever recorded and triggering a complete demographic reset across the province.
January 23, 1556
470 years ago
Key Figures & Places
China
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earthquake
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1556 Shaanxi earthquake
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Shaanxi
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Ming dynasty
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Earthquake
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1556 Shaanxi earthquake
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Shaanxi
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Richter scale
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1811–1812 New Madrid earthquakes
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China
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Shanxi
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Gansu
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China
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