On this day in 1556 the Shaanxi Earthquake blasted central China, killing more people than any other quake in recorded history. It is estimated to have been a 7.9-8.0 on the earthquake magnitude scale. Approximately 830,000 people in Shaanxi and Shanxi provinces China died from the event either at the time of the earthquake or in the days and weeks that followed due to injuries, famine, and plague. A 520-mile-wide area was destroyed, affecting 97 counties, some of which had fatalities as high as 60% of the county populations. Crevices more than 60 feet deep opened in the earth. Aftershocks continued for six months after the initial quake.
Located in North Central China, Shaanxi province marks the eastern end of the silk road, the international trading route that leads to the Arabian Peninsula, Europe, and Africa. A Portuguese friar, Gaspar da Cruz, visited the province later that year and reported in his book, A Treatise of China (1569), that the earthquake could have been a punishment for Chinese sins.
The most devastating earthquake in recent history was the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami on December 26, 2004, which had magnitude of about 9.2. The earthquake occurred under the ocean, was equivalent to the energy released from 23,000 atomic bombs, and resulted in giant tidal waves, known as the Boxing Day Tsunami, that reached 100 ft. high, and caused the deaths of nearly 230,000 people.
Music Du Jour: The Earthquake Playlist
Films Du Jour:
Underwater (2020)
The ⦁ Q⦁ uake (2018)
San An⦁ d⦁ r⦁ e⦁ as (2015)
Escap⦁ e⦁ from LA (1996)
Earth⦁ q⦁ uake (1974)
201⦁ 2 (2010)
San An⦁ d⦁ reas Quake (2015)
The Imp⦁ o⦁ ssible (2013 – Boxing Day Tsunami)
Miscellaneous:
U.S. earthqua⦁ k⦁ e hazard map
5,000-year-old b⦁ e⦁ er recipe from Shaanxi Provence
Can animals detec⦁ t⦁ earthquakes?
An online grocery⦁ ⦁ for preppers
Snacks du Jour: Foods to have in your cupboard for when the earthquake hits. Also: Quaker Oats and Earthquake Chips.
Cocktail Du Jour – Earthquake
We’re not sure why an earthquake should taste like chilled black licorice, but it is delicious. A form of this drink was served at parties hosted by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in the 19th century.
⦁ 1.5 oz congac
⦁ 0.25 oz of absinthe
⦁ 0.25 oz simple syrup
⦁ 0.5 oz chilled water
Stir all ingredients in ice and strain into a chilled Nick and Nora glass. Garish with a lemon twist.
Mocktail Du Jour – Earthquake Mocktail
⦁ 2.5 oz ⦁ peach n⦁ e⦁ ct⦁ ar
⦁ 2 drops of ⦁ licoric⦁ e⦁ extract
Stir juice and licorice extract in ice and strain into a chilled Nick and Nora glass. Garish with a lemon twist.
Beer Du Jour
Earthquake High Gravity Lager, Shock Top Belgian White Ale, or Tsingtao
Wine Du Jour
Earthquake Cabernet or Zinfandel
Use freshly squeezed citrus in your cocktails and mocktails when called for – It makes such a difference! Here’s a reliable and inexpensive juicer.
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Photo credit: “2011香港·深圳城市﹨建築雙城雙年展 官方提供資料 – 06_Story of Living in Sendai, March 11th ~” by 準建築人手札網站 Forgemind ArchiMedia is licensed under CC BY 2.0
