Damages and Lessons from the Wenchuan Earthquake in China

ABSTRACT The Wenchuan earthquake that occurred on May 12, 2008, was the biggest after the 1976 Tangshan earthquake in China. It caused huge casualties and losses that not only affected the whole nation, but also the world. Based on field survey and mass media analysis, the impacts of the earthquake and disaster damage characteristics of earthquake-stricken area are discussed. This article estimates the direct and indirect economic loss due to the Wenchuan earthquake based on hazard-loss model and input-output model. Finally, some lessons from the Wenchuan earthquake are summarized to improve urban and regional disaster risk prevention and management.