Monday, October 25, 2010

ruins in heaven

April 14, 2010, an earthquake registered a magnitude of 6.9Mw(USGSEMSC) or 7.1M(CEA, CENC) originated in YushuQinghai, China at 7:49 am local time. 

Homes have simply been erased; all that is left is a jumble of bricks and wood falling down the slopes. But for many in the area the damage to their culture is at least as painful as their homelessness and personal bereavement. "Of course I care about losing my grandchildren, but it's not so bad. The worst thing is the monastery," said Sonam Duden. "It's 800 years old, has so many treasures the monks and ordinary people all respect and protect. It is the most important thing for our lives."


At least 11 schools were destroyed in the earthquake.Over 85% of buildings in Gyegu, mostly of wood-earth construction, were destroyed, leaving hundreds trapped and thousands homeless.

The Yushu fault forms part of the Yushu-Garzê-Xianshuihe fault zone, one of the most active fault zones in eastern Tibet.


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