Geoinformation for Disaster and Risk Management - ISPRS

The characteristics of the earthquake were as
follows:
(1)High intensity: the maximum intensity was XI
degree on the China Seismic Intensity Scale
(2) Large area coverage: 500,000km2 over more
than 10 provinces, autonomous regions and
municipalities, including Gansu, Shannxi and
Chongqing were affected
40
Figure 2: Epicenter distribution of Wenchuan Earthquake and
its major aftershocks (Ming Zou, 2009)
(3) Numerous aftershocks and frequent secondary
disasters: there were more than 30,000 aftershocks;
the secondary disasters such as land collapses,
landslides, debris flows and quake lakes occurred
frequently, which caused even more extensive
damage.
(4) Difficulties for disaster relief: the earthquake
affected areas were mostly mountainous, where
many of the lifelines were destroyed by landslides
and debris flows making access difficult for disaster
rescue teams, and for goods or facilities to be
supplied to the severely affected earthquake areas.
(5)Massive losses: the earthquake left 69,227 people
dead and 17,923 missing. 15.1 million people were
evacuated and resettled, the direct economic losses
exceeded 845.1 billion Yuan RMB( 124 billion US
Dollars) (Speech of Chinese President Hu Jingtao,
2008)
Figure 3: Space technology support work flow