Earthquake Observatory Researcher: Ya'an Earthquake Has Certain Correlation with Wenchuan Earthquake\1. According to China National Radio's "CNR News," Sun Shenghong, a researcher at the China Earthquake Administration, stated that this earthquake has a certain correlation with the 2008 Wenchuan 8.0-magnitude earthquake. Historically, the region has a relatively high frequency of seismic activity, and the aftershocks of this 7.0-magnitude earthquake are also relatively strong. There were nine earthquakes of magnitude 4 or above within two hours, with the strongest being a 5.1-magnitude earthquake at 8:07.\ In terms of the overall geological environment, this earthquake is similar to the Wenchuan 8.0-magnitude earthquake, so based on the current assessment, the casualties and damage could also be relatively severe. Regarding the focal depth, the Wenchuan 8.0-magnitude earthquake had a focal depth of 14 kilometers, whereas this earthquake's focal depth is 13 kilometers, making it a relatively shallow earthquake. These factors have an impact on the casualties and economic losses caused by this earthquake.
2. People's Daily Online, Beijing, April 20 (Reporter Da Yuqi) – According to the China Earthquake Networks Center, at 08:02 Beijing Time on April 20, 2013, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake occurred in Lushan County, Ya'an City, Sichuan Province (30.3° N, 103.0° E), with a focal depth of about 13 kilometers. The epicenter is about 35 kilometers from Ya'an City and about 110 kilometers from Chengdu.\ As of 10:00 on the 20th, a total of 117 aftershocks have been recorded, including 15 earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or above: one between 5.0-5.9, nine between 4.0-4.9, and five between 3.0-3.9.\ At present, the China Earthquake Administration has initiated an earthquake emergency response at the highest level, and a field emergency team led by Vice Director Xiu Jigang has been dispatched to the disaster area. A field team led by a deputy director from the Sichuan Earthquake Bureau is also on the way to the disaster zone.
3. People's Daily Online: People's Daily reporters learned that Li Keqiang, Standing Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Premier of the State Council, will take a special plane to the Sichuan Ya'an earthquake disaster area at 12:30 today.
[The earthquake has caused 56 deaths; as of 12:00, there have been 264 aftershocks] – Reporters from People's Daily learned from the forward command center that the Sichuan Ya'an earthquake has caused 56 deaths. In addition, according to CCTV reporter Sun Yang, as of 12:00, a total of 264 aftershocks have been recorded for the 7.0-magnitude earthquake in Lushan, Ya'an, Sichuan, including two between 5.0-5.9.
[For more information from other aspects, please follow the Gossip News Agency]
