What's Known About The Tianjin Explosion

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Tianjin, located on the Northeastern coast of China, recently suffered one of the largest explosions ever recorded--the two blasts registered as magnitude 2.3 and 2.9 earthquakes.

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The explosions were photographed from space by a Japanese satellite.

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The China Earthquake Networks Center reported the first and second blasts were equivalent to 3 and 21 tonnes of TNT, respectively.

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The explosions happened on the 12th of August, one of Tianjin’s the hottest months of the year--regularly recording an average temperature of 86.4F.

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According to the Tianjin government, more than 700 people were injured by the explosion.

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Even prior to this explosion, the city of 15 million had a pollution problem strong enough to impeded the performance of professional athletes, some of whom complained the air was “thick enough to taste.” The added vapors and scent of chemicals from these explosions will hang in the air for some time to come.

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More than a thousand firefighters came on the scene, 12 of whom have been confirmed dead and officials have lost contact with 36 more.

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Firefighting has been suspended because of a lack of clarity on the content and quantity of the hazardous material in the warehouse (not all fires can be fought with water). Chemicals stored in the area include calcium carbide, sodium nitrate, and potassium nitrate.

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What the city looked like yesterday...

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...and today. ...Click here for photos of Tianjin aftermath and click here for footage of the original explosion.