9The 1556 Shaanxi Earthquake
The 1556 Shaanxi earthquake in China is the deadliest earthquake in recorded history. Striking the Huaxian region of Shaanxi Province, the quake caused widespread destruction across a 500-mile radius. An estimated 830,000 people lost their lives, with many of the casualties attributed to the collapse of traditional yaodong (cave dwellings) built into the region’s loess cliffs. The earthquake reshaped the landscape, causing landslides, fissures, and ground deformation. The tragedy remains a grim reminder of the immense seismic activity in China, particularly in densely populated areas.
