Comparison of two large earthquakes in China: The Ms 6.6 Yunnan Jinggu Earthquake and the Ms 6.5 Yunnan Ludian Earthquake in 2014

Abstract

Over a period of 2 months in 2014, two large earthquakes struck Jinggu and Ludian, Yunnan, China successively. Although there was only 0.1 magnitude of difference between the two great earthquakes, losses from the “10∙07” Jinggu Earthquake was much lower than that of “8∙03” Ludian Earthquake in China. Earthquake disaster loss or risk is related to the environment, hazard, exposure and regional copping capacity. To exactly identify to what extent these factors contribute to the disaster loss would be a big challenge. The disaster effect amplification and attenuation of disaster-formative environment and exposure on a same magnitude earthquake are of great significance in guiding the work of fast seismic disaster assessment and rescue. In this paper, the basic characteristics, their forming mechanisms induced by “10∙07” Jinggu Earthquake were analyzed, and with comparison on the differences of “8∙03” Ludian Earthquake. Some conclusions are as follows: The spatial pattern of “big magnitude with small disaster” is a combined result of hazards, disaster-formative environment and exposure. The factors resulting in different casualties of the two earthquakes focus on the houses structure, population density, topography and geomorphology in the two earthquakes area. This study could help governments to take more effective disaster risk management and emergency measures when preventing and responding to a severe earthquake.