ANALYSIS ON DISASTER CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MS5.4 CANGWU,GUANGXI EARTHQUAKE,JULY, 31th, 2016

On July 31^th, 2016, a moderately strong earthquake of M_S5.4 hit the Cangwu County in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The focal depth of this earthquake is about 10 kilometers. This earthquake occurred in the junction area of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Hunan Province and Guangdong Province. Nanning, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and other cities felt this earthquake. The Cangwu County disaster area is unique in terms of geographical position, tectonic geology, landform, economic development situation, population distribution and climate condition, etc. Based on the investigation to the earthquake hit area, and the analysis of its special natural environment, social economical conditions and humanities, seven general disaster characteristics of the Cangwu M_S5.4 earthquake are summarized from the point of view of earthquake disaster emergency rescue and reconstruction. namely, the low population density in the disaster area, the single building structure type and the low-level economic development, the short duration of ground motion, the small number and low magnitude of aftershocks, no large landslide, debris flow and other secondary geological disasters caused by this earthquake, the area is prone to typhoon and other climate disasters which are likely to aggravate earthquake disaster, and the earthquake occurred in an area of weak seismicity in South China. This paper introduces the basic situation of the M_S5.4 Cangwu earthquake and analyzes the seven disaster characteristics of this earthquake. In order to better respond to moderate-strong earthquake in weak seismicity regions of South China, this paper summarizes some experience and revelations about the earthquake in the M_S5.4 Cangwu earthquake emergency response process, and puts forward some corresponding countermeasures of earthquake disaster reduction in weak seismicity regions in southern China. In the future work, we should pay more attention to pre-disaster prevention, and strengthen earthquake-monitoring capability. In order to reduce the casualties caused by collapse of houses, we should improve the seismic fortification standards of houses, carry out relevant researches on earthquake damage prevention measures of karst areas. And in order to carry out comprehensive disaster reduction, we should strengthen cooperation with the meteorological department, and carry out more comprehensive earthquake emergency drills.