Nejhorší zemětřesení zažila Čína v roce 1556: V | NESPECHEJ.cz
Nejhorší zemětřesení zažila Čína v roce 1556: V provincii Šen-Si kvůli zřícení budov zahynulo přibližně 100 000 lidí ; 830 000 – tolik lidí podle ...
otevírala země
Tak silné zemětřesení, že se na mnoha místech <anchor>otevírala země</anchor> a vznikaly praskliny hluboké až 20 metrů. Ačkoli epicentrum zemětřesení bylo v provincii Šen-Si, lidé umírali nebo přicházeli o bydlení až pět set kilometrů daleko. Nejsmrtelnější byly právě ony sesuvy půdy, které ničily domy a zabíjely lidi mnoho kilometrů daleko.
Deadliest earthquake in recorded history rocks China | January 23, 1556 | HISTORY
Deadliest earthquake in recorded history rocks China \| January 23, 1556 \| HISTORY

Skip to content

[![History Logo](/assets/images/history/logo.svg)](/)

[Shows](https://www.history.com/shows) [This Day In History](/this-day-in-history) [Schedule](https://www.history.com/schedule) [Topics](/topics) [Stories](/news)

- [History Classics](https://play.history.com/channel/ancient-aliens-fan-favorites)
- [Live TV](https://play.history.com/live)
- [Your Profile](/profile/information)

Your Profile

[![](/assets/images/history/logo.svg)History](/)

- [Find History on Facebook (Opens in a new window)](https://www.facebook.com/History)
- [Find History on Twitter (Opens in a new window)](https://twitter.com/history)
- [Find History on YouTube (Opens in a new window)](https://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=historychannel)
- [Find History on Instagram (Opens in a new window)](http://instagram.com/history)
- [Find History on TikTok (Opens in a new window)](https://www.tiktok.com/@history)

[Email Updates](/emails/sign-up)

- [Live TV](https://play.history.com/live)
- [History Classics](https://play.history.com/channel/ancient-aliens-fan-favorites)
- [Shows](https://www.history.com/shows)
- [This Day In History](https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history)
- [Schedule](https://www.history.com/schedule)
- [Topics](https://www.history.com/topics)
- [Stories](https://www.history.com/news)
- [Videos](https://www.history.com/videos)
- [History Podcasts](https://www.history.com/podcasts)
- [History Vault](https://www.historyvault.com/?cmpid=HV_O_Site_H_Menu)

1. [Home](/)
2. [This Day in History](/this-day-in-history)
3. [January 23](/this-day-in-history/day/january-23)
4. Deadliest earthquake in recorded history rocks China

This Day In History: January 23

January \| 23

Choose another dateCurrent one is: January 23. Enter a date in the format M/D (e.g., 1/1)

Changing the day will navigate the page to that given day in history. You can navigate days by using left and right arrows

January

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

Today

![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)

[1556](/this-day-in-history/year/1556)

# Deadliest earthquake in recorded history rocks China

![](https://www.history.com/editorial/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.editorial.aetnd.com%2Fhistory-article-default.desktop.jpg&w=3840&q=75)![](https://www.history.com/editorial/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.editorial.aetnd.com%2Fhistory-article-default.desktop.jpg&w=3840&q=75)

On January 23, 1556, an [earthquake](https://time.com/5359504/asia-earthquake-tsunami-history/) in Shaanxi, China, kills an estimated 830,000 people. Counting casualties is often imprecise after large-scale disasters, especially prior to the 20th century, but this disaster is still considered the deadliest of all time.

The quake struck in late evening, with aftershocks continuing through the following morning. Later scientific investigation revealed that the magnitude of the quake was approximately 8.0 to 8.3, which isn’t close to the strongest tremor on record. However, the quake struck in the middle of a densely populated area with poorly constructed buildings and homes, resulting in a horrific death toll.

The epicenter of the earthquake was in the Wei River Valley in the Shaanxi Province, near the cities of Huaxian, Weinan and Huayin. In Huaxian, every single building and home collapsed, killing more than half the residents of the city, a number estimated in the tens of thousands. It was a similar story in Weinan and Huayin. In some places, 60-foot-deep crevices opened in the earth. Serious destruction and death occurred as much as 300 miles away from the epicenter. The earthquake also triggered landslides, which contributed to the massive death toll.

Even if the number of deaths caused by the Shaanxi earthquake has been overestimated slightly, it would still rank as the worst disaster in history by a considerable margin.

By: [History.com Editors](/author/history)

[HISTORY.com](http://history.com/) works with a wide range of writers and editors to create accurate and informative content. All articles are regularly reviewed and updated by the HISTORY.com team. Articles with the “HISTORY.com Editors” byline have been written or edited by the HISTORY.com editors, including [Amanda Onion](https://www.history.com/author/amanda-onion), [Missy Sullivan](https://www.history.com/author/missy-sullivan), [Matt Mullen](https://www.history.com/author/matt-mullen) and Christian Zapata.

* * *

## Citation Information

Article TitleDeadliest earthquake in recorded history rocks China

Author[History.com Editors](/author/history)

Website NameHISTORY

URL[https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/deadliest-earthquake-in-history-rocks-china](https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/deadliest-earthquake-in-history-rocks-china)

Date AccessedSeptember 12, 2024

PublisherA&E Television Networks

Last UpdatedJanuary 22, 2024

Original Published DateNovember 13, 2009

## Fact Check

We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, [click here](mailto:support@history.zendesk.com?subject=Fact%20Check%20-%20Deadliest%20earthquake%20in%20recorded%20history%20rocks%20China&body=%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%0AReferring%20URL%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.history.com%2Fthis-day-in-history%2Fdeadliest-earthquake-in-history-rocks-china%0A%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94) to contact us! HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate.

Print Page

## Also on This Day in History January \| 23

* * *

![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)[1849](/this-day-in-history/year/1849)

### [Elizabeth Blackwell becomes the first woman to receive a medical degree](/this-day-in-history/elizabeth-blackwell-becomes-first-woman-to-receive-medical-degree)

[Women’s History](/topics/womens-history)![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)[1977](/this-day-in-history/year/1977)

### ["Roots" premieres on television](/this-day-in-history/roots-premieres-on-television)

[Art, Literature and Film History](/topics/art-history)![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)

### [This Day in History Video: What Happened on January 23](/this-day-in-history/january-23-video)

[1950s](/topics/1950s)![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)[1968](/this-day-in-history/year/1968)

### [USS Pueblo captured](/this-day-in-history/uss-pueblo-captured)

[Cold War](/topics/cold-war)![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)[1997](/this-day-in-history/year/1997)

### [Madeleine Albright becomes first female secretary of state](/this-day-in-history/albright-sworn-in-as-secretary-of-state)

[Women’s History](/topics/womens-history)![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)[1957](/this-day-in-history/year/1957)

### [Toy company Wham‑O produces first Frisbees](/this-day-in-history/toy-company-wham-o-produces-first-frisbees)

[1950s](/topics/1950s)

![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)

### Wake Up to This Day in History

Sign up now to learn about This Day in History straight from your inbox.

Get all of today's events in just one email featuring a range of topics.

Sign Up

By submitting your information, you agree to receive emails from HISTORY and A+E Networks. You can opt out at any time. You must be 16 years or older and a resident of the United States.

**More details**: [Privacy Notice](https://www.aenetworks.com/privacy) \| [Terms of Use](https://www.aenetworks.com/terms) \| [Contact Us](https://support.history.com/)

![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)[1984](/this-day-in-history/year/1984)

### [Hulk Hogan beats Iron Sheik to win first WWF title](/this-day-in-history/hulk-hogan-beats-iron-sheik-to-win-first-wwf-title)

[Sports](/topics/sports)![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)[1992](/this-day-in-history/year/1992)

### [President George H.W. Bush honors Women’s World Cup champions](/this-day-in-history/bush-sr-honors-womens-world-cup-soccer-champions)

[U.S. Presidents](/topics/us-presidents)![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)[1870](/this-day-in-history/year/1870)

### [Soldiers massacre sleeping camp of Native Americans](/this-day-in-history/soldiers-massacre-the-wrong-camp-of-indians)

[19th Century](/topics/19th-century)![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)[1855](/this-day-in-history/year/1855)

### [Gun designer John Browning is born](/this-day-in-history/gun-designer-john-browning-is-born)

[Inventions & Science](/topics/inventions)![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)[1976](/this-day-in-history/year/1976)

### [Singer, actor, athlete, activist Paul Robeson dies](/this-day-in-history/singer-actor-athlete-activist-paul-robeson-dies)

[Art, Literature and Film History](/topics/art-history)![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)[1991](/this-day-in-history/year/1991)

### [Videotaped murder leads to convictions in Texas](/this-day-in-history/videotaped-murder-leads-to-convictions-in-texas)

[Crime](/topics/crime)![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)[1920](/this-day-in-history/year/1920)

### [Netherlands refuses to extradite Kaiser Wilhelm to the Allies](/this-day-in-history/netherlands-refuses-to-extradite-kaiser-wilhelm-to-the-allies)

[World War I](/topics/world-war-i)![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)[1941](/this-day-in-history/year/1941)

### [Charles Lindbergh urges Congress to negotiate with Hitler](/this-day-in-history/lindbergh-to-congress-negotiate-with-hitler)

[World War II](/topics/world-war-ii)

[**A+E Networks**](https://www.aenetworks.com/) Our Family of Brands

[History homepage](https://www.history.com)

- [History Education](https://www.history.com/classroom "Visit History Education")
- [History Vault](https://www.historyvault.com?cmpid=HV_O_Site_H_Footer "Visit History Vault")
- [Mobile/Apps](https://www.history.com/apps "Visit Mobile/Apps")
- [News](https://www.history.com/news "Visit News")
- [Share Your Opinion](https://www.historymakerscommunity.com/h/s/61qfFbcxN0jIWvjuPQmr5L "Visit Share Your Opinion")

**Follow History**

- [d](https://www.facebook.com/History)
- [ on twitter](https://twitter.com/history)
- [p](https://www.youtube.com/historychannel)
- [m](https://www.instagram.com/history)
- [+](https://www.tiktok.com/@history)

- [AETV homepage](https://www.aetv.com)
- [MYLIFETIME homepage](https://www.mylifetime.com)
- [MYLIFETIME movies homepage](https://www.mylifetime.com/lifetime-movies)
- [FYI homepage](https://www.fyi.tv)
- [VICELAND homepage](https://viceland.com/en_us/)

- [Biography](https://www.biography.com/ "Visit Biography")
- [Crime and Investigation](https://www.crimeandinvestigationnetwork.com/ "Visit Crime and Investigation")

- [History en Espanol](https://www.history.com/espanol/schedule "Visit History en Espanol")
- [LRW](https://www.mylifetime.com/schedule/lrw "Visit LRW")

- [Military History](https://military.history.com/ "Visit Military History")

- [Ad Choices](https://www.aenetworks.com/adchoices "Visit Ad Choices")
- [Advertise With Us](https://www.aenetworks.com/advertise "Visit Advertise With Us")
- [Accessibility Support](https://www.aenetworks.com/accessibility-support "Visit Accessibility Support")
- [Copyright Policy](https://www.aenetworks.com/copyright "Visit Copyright Policy")

- [Corporate Information](https://www.aenetworks.com/ "Visit Corporate Information")
- [Employment Opportunities](https://www.aenetworks.com/careers "Visit Employment Opportunities")
- [FAQ/Contact Us](https://support.history.com/hc/en-us "Visit FAQ/Contact Us")
- [Privacy Notice](https://www.aenetworks.com/privacy "Visit Privacy Notice")

- [Cookie Notice](https://www.aenetworks.com/cookie-notice "Visit Cookie Notice")
- [Terms Of Use](https://www.aenetworks.com/terms "Visit Terms Of Use")
- [TV Parental Guidelines](https://www.aenetworks.com/guidelines "Visit TV Parental Guidelines")

- [Contact Us](https://support.history.com/hc/en-us)
- [Copyright Policy](https://www.aenetworks.com/copyright)
- [Privacy Policy](https://www.aenetworks.com/privacy)
- [Terms of Use](https://www.aenetworks.com/terms)
- [Ad Choices](https://www.aenetworks.com/adchoices)
- [Accessibility Support](https://www.aenetworks.com/accessibility-support)

© 2024, A&E Television Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved.