SICHUAN EPICENTER: A 7.8-magnitude earthquake shook China’s mountainous Sichuan province Monday. So far, the death toll nears 10,000.

The earthquake struck during school hours Monday, trapping thousands of people under collapsed buildings. Rubble buried about 900 teenagers at one school in Dujiangyan, Sichuan. The quake forces China to put its other issues on the back burner while it concentrates efforts on rescue.

Olympic Shakeup

Almost 930 miles away, Beijing felt the earthquake. Although buildings trembled, the Olympic stadium withstood the quake. It’s engineered to survive an 8.0-magnitude temblor. The Olympics organizing committee says the earthquake will not affect the games this summer.

Worse Timing?

China struggles with high inflation, discontent among Tibetans in western China, and preparations for the Beijing Olympics in August. Still, China’s President Hu Jintao commanded an aggressive rescue effort, deploying thousands of medically equipped army troops and paramilitary. Unfortunately a landslide on a mountain road leading to Wenchuan temporarily blocks the rescue effort.

From the White House, President Bush extended his condolences to the victims. Bush said, “The United States stands ready to help in any way possible.” (Associated Press, 5/12/08)

Copyright © 2009 Informify

Sources

China quake kills nearly 9,000, toll likely to soar (Reuters, 5/12/08)

Death toll in China earthquake up to nearly 9,000 (Associated Press, 5/12/08)

Question for Readers:

Have you ever experienced an earthquake greater than 6.0? What was it like?