January 9, 1038 Earthquake: Dingxiang, Xinxian, Shaanxi Province, China

January 9, 1038, in and around Dingxiang and Xinxian,

Shanxi Province, 38.4 N, 112.9 E, magnitude 7.25, intensity X.

General situation: Earthquakes occurred at Xin, Dai

and Bing prefectures. City walls and houses were

destroyed. The ground cracked with ejection of

water. 32,300 officials and civilians were killed and

5,600 wounded. Over 50,000 domestic animals were

killed. Shocks had continued for ten years since.

Dingxiang: City walls were destroyed and houses collapsed, 60% of the people and domestic animals

were killed.

Xinzhou Prefecture (the seat of its local government

was located at the present-day Xinxian, and Dingxiang

was also under its jurisdiction): 19,742 people.

were killed and 5,655 wounded. Over 50,000

domestic animals were killed.

Guoxian: Officials were sent to relieve people in the

stricken areas Daizhou Prefecture (the seat of its local government was located at the present day Daixian); 759

people were killed.

Bingzhou Prefecture (the seat of its local government

was located at the present-day Taiyuan): 1,890

people were killed. Huge rocks on Xuanweng

(hanging jar-shaped) Hill (1O km southwest of the

county) broke and fell disfiguring the jar-shape.

The Xuanweng Temple on the hill also lay in ruins.

Earthquakes lasted for five days (till January 13).

Another shock occurred in the next January. It was

also said that the shock continued for ten days or

for ten years.

(above from reference #3939)

Reference #1052 lists January 9, 1038, 38.4 N, 112.9 E, magnitude 7.25, intensity X.

Reference #1051 lists January 9, 1038, Shaanxi, 23,000 deaths.

Reference #1002 lists January 24, 1038, central Shansi, 2,200 deaths.