China News Service, Beijing, October 26 (Reporter Sun Zifa) The "Baqing Magnitude 7.0 Earthquake Intensity Map of Tibet" released by the China Earthquake Administration on October 26 shows that the highest intensity of this earthquake was IX (9 degrees), and the 9-degree area covers an area of approximately 449 square kilometers.
"Tibet Baqing Magnitude 7.0 Earthquake Intensity Map". Photo courtesy of China Earthquake Administration
After a 7.0-magnitude earthquake occurred in Baqing County, Nagchu City, Tibet Autonomous Region on the night of October 22, the China Earthquake Administration dispatched an earthquake on-site working group to carry out intensity surveys within the earthquake area in accordance with a series of standards and specifications. Through on-site earthquake damage and surface rupture investigations at 191 survey points in the earthquake area, and with reference to scientific and technological support results such as aftershock distribution, focal mechanism solutions, and instrumental intensity distribution maps, the intensity distribution of the earthquake was determined, and the "Tibet Baqing 7.0 magnitude earthquake intensity map" was compiled and officially released to the public.
According to the seismic intensity map, the highest intensity of the 7.0-magnitude earthquake in Baqing, Tibet was IX (9 degrees). The macro-epicenter and micro-epicenter were located in Maru Township, Baqing County, Tibet Autonomous Region, causing a surface rupture zone of about 25 kilometers in length, and the long axis of the isoseismic line was north-north. Trending eastward, the long axis is about 274 kilometers, the short axis is about 157 kilometers, and the area of the VI degree (6 degree) zone and above is about 35,145 square kilometers, of which the Tibet Autonomous Region is about 26,141 square kilometers and the Qinghai Province is about 9,004 square kilometers.
The earthquake affected 43 townships in 2 provinces (autonomous regions), 3 cities (prefectures), 9 counties (districts), including 39 townships in 2 cities, 8 counties (districts) in Tibet Autonomous Region, and 1 prefecture, 1 county and 4 townships in Qinghai Province.
Among them, the earthquake intensity IX (9 degrees) area covers an area of about 449 square kilometers, mainly involving Maru Township and Zase Town, Baqing County, Nagqu City, Tibet Autonomous Region; Chadan Township, Zaduo County, Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, a total of 3 towns.
The VIII degree (8 degree) area covers an area of approximately 1,635 square kilometers, mainly involving Maru Township, Zase Town, Gangche Township, and Baqing Township, Baqing County, Nagqu City, Tibet Autonomous Region; Chadan Township, Zaduo County, Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, a total of 5 towns.
The VII degree (7th degree) area covers an area of approximately 9,703 square kilometers, mainly involving 8 townships in Baqing County, Nagqu City, Tibet Autonomous Region, 7 townships in Ru County, 3 townships in Suo County, and 1 township in Nierong County; and 3 townships in Zaduo County, Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, totaling 22 townships.
The VI degree (6 degree) area covers an area of approximately 23,358 square kilometers, mainly involving 9 towns in Ru County, Nagqu City, Tibet Autonomous Region, 5 towns in Baqing County, 7 towns in Suo County, 4 townships in Nyirong County, 3 towns in Jiali County, 3 townships in Seni District; and 1 township each in Bianba County and Dingqing County in Qamdo City. There are 4 townships in Zaduo County, Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, with a total of 37 towns.
In addition, some towns and villages in Tibet and Qinghai outside the VI degree (6 degree) area were also affected, and individual houses were damaged.
According to reports, the macro epicenter refers to the location with the most severe earthquake damage in the mesoseismic zone; the micro epicenter refers to the epicenter location determined using seismic wave information recorded by instruments.
The surface rupture zone is a general term for the rupture and deformation caused by the earthquake source fault dislocation on the surface. It consists of earthquake faults, earthquake bulges, earthquake cracks, earthquake trenches, etc.
