Final Hazards Report: China
The two most deadly natural hazards to occur in China are floods and earthquakes. These are ranked at the top of the list due to their frequency, cost in damages/recovery, threat to life and economic stability. Out of all the countries in Asia, China has the most earthquakes and overall seismic activity, particularly in the Southwest region. The convergent plate boundaries collide with the Indian plate at the Himalayan mountains and the Philippine Sea plate off the Taiwanese coast. On average, 459 earthquakes of a 4.0 magnitude or higher occur yearly in China with a total of 591 (4.1 magnitude or higher) earthquakes happening in 2024. The earthquakes ruin infrastructure, cause power outages, loss of life and also contribute to recurring floods.
China is hit by flooding mostly along their major river systems that overflow during heavy rainfall and monsoon weather, rapid urbanization and deforestation. It affects both rural and urban areas, damaging infrastructure, agriculture/farmland and displacing millions of people. Climate change has and will continue to make floods more deadly and more frequent. As previously mentioned, earthquakes also disrupt the grounds and cause flooding. In 1931, the deadliest disaster recorded in history was floods that killed 1 to 4 million people.
To mitigate these dangerous natural hazards, I would set forward plans for before, during and after the disaster. Prior to any earthquake, satellite and radar data would be analyzed on a 24hr basis with early warning systems notifying areas of potential seismic activity. It would be best for any nearby rural areas to be evacuated first because they have more vulnerable communities with less access to resources and major roadways. China has many villages in the mountainous regions that could be completely wiped out by a serious earthquake. During an earthquake, everyone should take cover in strong and reinforced shelters that can withstand high magnitudes and remain there until authorities deem it safe. Afterwards, buildings should be inspected even if there is no visible damage and water tested for safe drinkability.
For floods, mitigation efforts should start with making sure the major rivers can withstand the monsoon seasons with heavy rainfall. Diverting overflow to areas that are drier with the combination of fortified river banks could help lessen the risk of flooding. Similarly to earthquake mitigation, rural communities close to rivers should have priority rescue services and be given financial assistance to preserve agriculture and livestock. For heavily populated urban areas, emergency flood transportation should be available for people to eliminate traffic and other dangers. To further prevent flooding, China should start restoring the vegetation which will not only help with water absorption but also help with lowering C02 emissions that contribute to global warming.
The Sichuan Province that is on the Eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau is an area to focus on when it comes to earthquakes. The earthquakes that hit this area are very strong, frequent and have previously caused 87,000 deaths in a single event. Although there are many other regions that have major seismic activity in China, the Sichuan Province has the most notable damages and deaths historically caused by earthquakes. The top flood-prone areas in China are the Yangtze River, Yellow River, and Haui River that are most vulnerable due to geography, population density and effects of seasonal rainfall. These basins should be a priority to protect especially after their long history of deadly floods.
If I were to construct a house in this country, keeping in mind the high risk for floods and earthquakes, the best location would be Harbin in the Heilongjiang Province. This area has low earthquake risk because it is on a stable continental crust away from active faults. Harbin is not heavily impacted by flooding and too inland to be affected by flooding from coastal typhoons. I would feel confident to build a home here knowing that the risks are much lower than other parts of China.
Sources:
Harbin | Map, China, Climate, & Population | Britannica
Harbin Facts, Harbin Overview, Geography, Population, Climate, Harbin Information
CHINA: HOME OF THE WORLD'S FIVE MOST DEADLY AND DESTRUCTIVE FLOODS | Facts and Details
Sichuan earthquake of 2008 | Overview, Damage, & Facts | Britannica
How does China manage flooding? | Article | VoxDev
Frontiers | Associations Between Strong Earthquakes and Local Rainfall in China
The complete China earthquake report (up-to-date 2025).
Your summary on China’s natural hazards is detailed and insightful. I appreciate how you linked seismic activity and flooding to both geography and climate change. Highlighting the Sichuan Province and major river systems like the Yangtze adds real context to the threat levels. Your mitigation strategies, especially prioritizing vulnerable rural communities and using early warning systems, show strong planning. Choosing Harbin for safety was a smart move, considering its location away from faults and major flood zones. Great analysis!
ReplyDeleteGreat final reflection-congratulations!
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