Bachu earthquake
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| Date | 24 February 2003 |
|---|---|
| Magnitude | 6.8 Mw |
| Depth: | 11 kilometres (7 mi) |
| Epicenter location: | |
| Countries/ regions affected |
 China Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan |
| Casualties: | 266 dead [1] |
The Bachu Earthquake occurred on 24 February, 2003, in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region in northwest China. The epicentre was located near to the town of Bachu, approximately 105 km east of Kashgar and 310 km west of Aksu. At least 266 people died as a result of the earthquake, and more than 4,000 were injured. Most of the casualties occurred in Bachu county. Almost 10,000 homes were levelled by the earthquake. A further 5 people were killed in powerful aftershocks which occurred on 26 February, 2003.
[edit] Tectonic Setting
Seismic activity is common in the Bachu and the surrounding area. It occurs as a result of movement on fault systems that bound the Tien Shan mountain belt. The Tien Shan is actively evolving, as a result of far-field stresses associated with the collision of India and Eurasia.
According to the moment tensor solution, the earthquake occurred on a thrust fault that dips 6° to the north, and strikes approximately east-west. Such a gentle dip angle implies that the earthquake may have occurred on or just above the basal detachment of the neighbouring fold-thrust belts. There is no evidence of oblique-slip or strike-slip movement.
[edit] Related Links
BBC News - "In Pictures: China earthquake"
BBC News - "China aftershocks claim more lives"
BBC News - "China quake prisoners escape injury"
USGS Earthquake Hazards Program - Official Earthquake Report
USGS Earthquake Hazards Program - Moment Tensor Solution
USGS Earthquake Hazards Program - Historical Seismicity
