The 1556 Shaanxi earthquake struck the Wei River valley in the north-central Chinese province of Shaanxi during the Ming dynasty. It is regarded as the deadliest earthquake in recorded history, with a commonly cited toll of more than 800,000 people, although the figure is an estimate. Many people lived in loess cave dwellings, which collapsed in the shaking, and landslides and ground fissures added to the destruction. The ground was said to open in many places in the area around Huaxian, and the quake was felt over a large area of China. A local official, Qin Kun, who survived the disaster, left an account and advised people to build lighter, safer houses.
Before and after
- 9 January 1554Birth of Gregory XV
- 25 January 1554Founding of São Paulo
- 1555Construction of St. Basil's Cathedral
- 25 September 1555Peace of Augsburg
- 23 January 15561556 Shaanxi earthquake
- 1557Founding of Macau
- 1557Discovery of platinum
- 24 September 1557Death of Jacques Cartier
- from 17 January 1558 to 26 May 1583Livonian War
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The era
This moment belongs to the Early modern world (1500 CE to 1760 CE), voyages, printing and new ideas. You can also browse everything in the 16th century.