Discovery and significance of buried paleoearthquake of the early Shang Dynasty (1260-1520 BC) in Xu

• 出 处: Chinese Science Bulletin
• 发表日期: 2010年12期
• 关键词: Shang Dynasty BC Henan buried strike magnitude rupture inferred thick

Due to the South-to-North Water Diversion Project,the salvage archaeological excavations were conducted in Xuecun,Xingyang city,Henan Province,China,by the Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology of Henan Province in 2005 and 2006.Ample evidence for a paleoearthquake was found during the excavation in the Xuecun archaeological site.The evidence includes faults,two small grabens and a series of ground fissures.These geological structures are considered to be generated by the earthquake.Based on the relationship between the paleoseismic relics and the cultural layers excavated in the site,we inferred that the earthquake took place in the early Shang Dynasty (the Erligang period).The AMS 14C dates of charcoal from ash pits in the site indicate that the earthquake occurred between 1260 BC and 1520 BC.The paleoearthquake during this period was first discovered in the Central Plain of China.This discovery not only extents the scope of paleoseismic investigation,but also provides valuable information for safety evaluation of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project.

Due to the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, the salvage archaeological excavations were conducted in Xuecun, Xingyang city, Henan Province, China, by the Institute of Cultural Relics and Archeology of Henan Province in 2005 and 2006. Ample evidence for a paleoearthquake was found during the excavation in the Xuecun archaeological site. The evidence includes faults, two small grabens and a series of ground fissures. The geological formations are considered to be born by the earthquake. Based on the relationship between the paleoseismic relics and the cultural layers excavated in the site, we inferred that the earthquake took took place in the early Shang Dynasty (the Erligang period). AMS 14C dates of charcoal from ash pits in the site that the event occurred between 1260 BC and 1520 BC. paleoearthquake during this period was first discovered in the Central Plain of China. This discovery not only extents the scope of paleoseismic investigation, but also provides valuabl e information for safety evaluation of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project.