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2000 Yao'an earthquake
UTC time	2000-01-14 23:37:07
ISC event	1884945
USGS-ANSS	ComCat
Local date	January 15, 2000
Local time	07:37:07 CST (UTC+10)
Magnitude	6.5 Ms; 5.9 Mw
Depth	33 km (21 mi)
Epicenter	25°36′25″N 101°03′47″E / 25.607°N 101.063°E
Type	Strike-slip
Areas affected	Yunnan, China
Total damage	¥540.2 million (US$74 million)
Max. intensity	MMI VI (Strong)
Foreshocks	Mw 5.5 at 22:09 UTC on 14/01/2000
Aftershocks	3 >Mw 4.0 (as of 23/01/2000)
Casualties	7 fatalities, 2,528 injuries, 200,000 displaced

On 15 January 2000, at 07:37 CST, a M_s6.5 or M_w5.9 earthquake struck Yao'an County in Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan, China, 85 km (53 mi) east of Dali City.^[2] The earthquake was preceded by a M_w5.5 foreshock at 06:09 local time.^[3]

Tectonic setting

Yunnan lies within the area affected by the continuing collision between the India Plate and the Eurasian plate that has led to the formation of the Tibetan Plateau. Lateral eastward spreading of this zone of thickened crust is impeded by the presence of the South China Block and this causes clockwise rotation of the Sichuan–Yunnan block, accommodated by left-lateral strike-slip faults on its eastern margin and right lateral strike-slip faults to the west.^[4]

Earthquake

The earthquake sequence started with two foreshocks at 22:09 (M5.5) and 22:23 (M3.9) on January 14.^[1] The mainshock, which occurred soon afterwards at 23:37, had an estimated magnitude of M_w 5.9 (ANSS), M_w 6.0 or M_s6.5.^[5]

Based on the aftershock distribution, the earthquake was the result of rupture along a fault with a strike of N50°W. The causative fault was most likely the right lateral Maweiqing fault, one of the faults that forms the western boundary of the Sichuan-Yunnan block.^[5]^[4]

Impact

The earthquake killed seven people and injured 2,528 others,^[6] 99 of them seriously,^[7] with 200,000 people displaced.^[8] Casualties were reduced as a foreshock forced many out of their homes before the mainshock hit shortly after.^[9] At least 659,644 homes were damaged, including 410,365 in Yao'an County and 233,165 in Dayao County;^[7] 100,000 of the affected homes were heavily damaged or destroyed.^[10] Preliminary estimates put the cost of damage at $74 million.^[9] All 136 homes were damaged in the village of Piaolaqiao, with one third of the village's residents facing food shortages after the quake.^[11] Overall, the earthquake affected 74 townships in seven counties within two prefectures.^[12]

Aftermath and response

By 16 January, hundreds of tents were set up for displaced residents, with 2,000 more due to arrive by the next day. Soldiers had also been drafted in to help coordinate rescue efforts in Yao'an County, near the epicenter.^[9] The Hong Kong Red Cross sent 10,000 coats, 10,000 cooking sets and 5,000 quilts and 150 packs of rice.^[12] The Salvation Army planned to deliver 2,000 sleeping bags, cotton quilts and over 1,000 coats to Yunnan.^[13]