Geology Newz: Sichuan (China) Earthquake Update

May 15, 2008 10:30 AM EST

Confirmed death toll: 19,509

Projected death toll: 50,000

Est. people still buried: ~ 30,000

Also affected: Taiwan

Amount of people estimated to be affected (loss of loved ones, homeless, damage to homes, workplaces, loss of power, injuries, lack of access to water and food): ~ 10 million

Other problems:

• Sichuan Province is home to many dams, and they are damaged by the quake. One dam, the Zipingpu Dam which was recently contructed among very high criticism including that of seismologists and geologists, about its being erected in a quake zone near a faultline, has suffered four inch cracks as well as landslides. This dam stands 500 feet in height and is about 35 miles from the epicentre of the quake. There are an estimated 400 dams with damage from the quake.
• Minyuang is home to several nuclear weapons facilities which have been damaged, reported by the the China Nuclear Engineering and Construction Corporation on its website, but it does not report if there are any leaks or descriptions of the damage.
• Massive mud and landslides have blocked 2 rivers from continuing on their course in Qingchuan County. A huge lake has formed from the backed-up water. They have made an appeal for geologists to develop a rescue plan to assist in resolving this before further disaster strikes.

Celebrities donating: NBA star Yao Ming, proposed over a quarter of a million dollars of personal funds for aide.

Foreigners present at time of the quake: a group of American and British tourists on a WWF trip to observe giant pandas, all were safe and airlifted out today. The pandas at the breeding centre in Wolong were reported safe.

How to help: http://www.interaction.org/china