Earthquake activity in mainland China, 2003： The heaviest damage caused since 1977

The earthquake activity and damage in mainland China in 2003 are reviewed. There were 27 earthquakes with a magnitude of over 5.0, resulting in 319 people killed and 7147 people injured. The total economic loss of over 560 million US dollars represents the highest figure for mainland China since 1977, and it is comparable to the total loss during one decade in the 1980‘s. For the first time China International Search and Rescue(CISAR) teams were dispatched to disaster areas in China, Algeria and lran.