Abstract:From statistical analysis of information on disaster losses caused by more than 30 5.0≤MS≤7.0 earthquakes and some MS ＜5.0 earthquakes in China since 2000,we summarize the typical characteristics of seismic damage and experience in rural areas.（1） The epicenters of these earthquakes are mostly located in active tectonic belts and seismically active belts,so casualties and economic losses are great.The direct economic losses caused by an earthquake swarm of about magnitude 5.5 are equivalent to 3.6 ％ of the provincial revenue budget.（2） Destruction and collapse of houses and public facilities are major factors in direct losses from earthquake disasters.Damage to and loss of rural houses in MS＜7.0 earthquakes accounts for over 60 ％ of total direct losses from earthquake disasters,and can be as much as 96.7 ％.（3） Earthquake damage to rural houses with different structures in different regions can vary markedly：damage to rural houses in the western region is greater than in the middle and eastern regions; damage to rural houses with traditional,non-formal civil,brick,stone and wood structures is significantly greater than for formally designed and constructed rural houses of brick,with frame structures.（4） Some small earthquakes of magnitude＜5.0 may cause great disasters,and in these earthquakes the loss of houses is substantially equal to all other losses from the disaster.（5） The implementation of requirements for seismic fortification of rural houses and public buildings has a tremendous impact on the earthquake damage level,especially in western areas inhabited by minority nationalities.If rural houses and public facilities without scientific fortification are hit by an earthquake,the damage will be serious.（6） Because rural houses and many public buildings are built without formal design and construction guidance,their seismic performance is extremely poor.Scientific siting,specific design,and good construction are the most direct,effective,and reliable ways of mitigating casualties and economic losses caused by earthquakes at present.（7） In earthquake-prone areas and high-seismic-intensity areas,a seismic threat to the safety of rural schools and hospitals （clinics） still exists.The seismic safety of rural schools and hospitals （clinics） is still a matter of great importance.（8） In the western poverty-stricken regions,seismic damage is an important factor that causes rural people to become poor or return to poverty,which also affects social stability.Disasters caused by small earthquakes are relatively common,so to some extent earthquake disasters widen the gap in economic and social development between rural and urban areas.（9） Because most farmers and herdsmen in rural areas,especially in areas where the culture and economy are relatively backward,lack knowledge of earthquake prevention and disaster reduction,and their awareness of disaster prevention and mitigation is still very weak,popularization of the science and technology of earthquake prevention and seismic fortification of rural buildings is extremely urgent.From summarizing typical cases and successful experiences of earthquake safety projects for rural houses in Xinjiang,Gansu and Hainan provinces in recent years,we point out that vigorous promotion of implementation of earthquake safety projects for rural houses is an important measure for mitigation of losses and casualties caused by earthquakes,and can completely improve the weak seismic capacity in rural areas.We also propose some suggestions for further promoting earthquake safety projects for rural houses and improving the seismic fortification levels of rural houses.
