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Tangshan earthquake of 1976
Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Images, Videos & Interactives
Map showing the epicenter and affected area of the 1976 Tangshan earthquake in northeastern China. Concentric color-coded zones indicate the intensity of perceived shaking, with the strongest (extreme and violent) centered on Tangshan and surrounding cities, and decreasing outward through areas of severe, very strong, and strong shaking. Major aftershock locations are also marked. The map includes nearby cities such as Tianjin, Beijing, and Qinhuangdao, with Bohai Bay to the southeast. Explore notable earthquakes in history.
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Warm water fuels Hurricane Katrina. This image depicts a 3-day average of actual dea surface temperatures for the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, from August 25-27, 2005.
Disasters of Historic Proportion

Tangshan earthquake of 1976: References & Edit History

Article Contributors

Primary Contributors

  • John P. Rafferty
    John P. Rafferty writes about Earth processes and the environment. He serves currently as the editor of Earth and life sciences, covering climatology, geology, zoology, and other topics that relate to the natural world.

Other Encyclopedia Britannica Contributors

Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Anniversary information added. Jul 21, 2026
Media added. Aug 14, 2024
Added interactive. May 04, 2024
Noted that the Tangshan earthquake of 1976 was one of the largest natural disasters in recorded history. Jan 28, 2023
Invalidated site: USGS - The 1976 Tangshan Earthquake. Jan 29, 2020
Add new Web site: USGS - The 1976 Tangshan Earthquake. Aug 09, 2011
Article thoroughly revised and expanded. Jul 23, 2010
Article revised and updated. Jun 19, 2008
New article added. Apr 04, 2008
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