NE China quake damages several homes

A magnitude-5.1 earthquake triggered panic in Liaoning province on Wednesday, but experts rule out the possibility of a devastating quake in the region.

No causalities were reported at the epicenter of the quake, which was located in the border area between Dengta and Shenyang, both in Liaoning province, where earthquakes are rare.

No houses were reported to have collapsed, but cracks were spotted in some houses in Dengta, said Liu Wenlong, the city's mayor.

The earthquake follows a magnitude-3.9 quake that hit the junction of Tongliao in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region and Fuxin in Liaoning on Tuesday.

Liaoning's earthquake bureau said devastating earthquakes are unlikely to occur in the near future.

Sun Shihong, retired chief forecaster of the China Earthquake Administration, said he does not believe Shenyang or Northeast China will enter an active seismic period.

According to Sun, northern China experienced several earthquakes between magnitude 5 and 6 from 2000 to 2006. The region entered a relatively stable stage after that.

Residents felt the quake on Wednesday, which lasted for about 20 seconds.

"It's the first time I experienced such a strong earthquake," said Huang Lihua, a 40-year-old Shenyang resident who was eating lunch when the quake jolted the city.

"Suddenly, the floor and windows were shaking and there was a buzzing sound. I was scared, although it only lasted few seconds. I never thought there would be an earthquake in Shenyang," she said.

Many residents fled outdoors when the quake hit.

Shenyang was the capital for the Manchu people before the establishment of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Residents believe the city is a fortunate place as it was free from major natural disasters in past centuries.

The quake cracked some houses, interrupted telecom signals and damaged some properties in Dengta.

Local resident Liang Manfu said the quake left a 2-meter crack in the ceiling of his house. The walls also had cracks, some as wide as a finger.

"My TV set was broken, and I'm worried about how to fix the cracks," Liang said.

Communication signals were interrupted for a short time in the city.

"I tried to call my boyfriend to ask if he was safe after the quake, but I couldn't reach him," said Wang Meiyu, a resident of Shenyang whose boyfriend works in Dengta.

"The quake is a reminder to keep emergency supplies at home and learn more about how to protect ourselves when in earthquakes," Wang said.

The quake, however, has been positive for some - locksmiths are in hot demand, because people left their keys at home when they fled outside during the quake hit.

"Six people asked me to help open their doors today, and that's a lot," said Guan Peng, a Shenyang locksmith.