Sichuan Earthquake (2008)

The 2008 Sichuan Earthquake, also known as the Wenchuan Earthquake, was a devastating magnitude 7.9 event that struck China's Sichuan province on May 12, 2008. It was caused by the movement of the Earth's crust along a fault line, releasing massive energy that shook the region fiercely. The quake resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, widespread destruction of buildings and infrastructure, and left millions homeless. It highlighted the importance of earthquake preparedness and resilience in seismically active areas, prompting improvements in building standards and emergency response systems in China.