Resurgence of Springs in the "Four Provinces of Mountains and Rivers": Is a Major Earthquake on the Horizon Along the Taihang Mountain Range?

Sunset — The image shows a construction site in mainland China. (Video screenshot)

[People News] In recent months, particularly since December of last year, the long-dry springs in the "Four Provinces of Mountains and Rivers"—Shanxi, Shandong, Henan, Hebei, and Beijing—have unexpectedly begun to flow again, bubbling with water. What could this mean?

According to reports from mainland media, at the end of 2025, the spring water at the source of the Jialu River in Zhengzhou, Henan, which had been dry for over thirty years, suddenly surged, releasing over a hundred tons of warm water at nearly 30°C per hour, moving some elderly onlookers to tears. Concurrently, the water level of the Baotu Spring in Jinan, Shandong, exceeded 30.32 meters, marking a new high in nearly 60 years; groundwater at Meihua Spring in Shandong also surged dramatically.

Moreover, in Changzhi, Shanxi Province, hot underground water at 70 degrees erupted suddenly in Beisi Shangcun. In Baoding, Hebei, a spring that had been dry for half a century has resumed flow, drawing thousands of spectators daily; in Xingtai, the Baiquan Spring is roaring like thunder, with its water area expanding by nearly a thousand acres. Additionally, an old spring in Mentougou, Beijing, which had been dry for 40 years, has also revived, and ecological replenishment of the Yongding River in Tianjin was achieved in just three days.

It is important to note that Beijing and several cities in the "Four Provinces of Mountains and Rivers" are situated along the Taihang Mountain Range. Key cities include Zhangjiakou, Baoding, Shijiazhuang, Xingtai, and Handan in Hebei, as well as Taiyuan, Yangquan, Jinzhong, Changzhi, and Jincheng in Shanxi. Changzhi Qinxian in eastern Shanxi acts as a corridor connecting Shanxi with Hebei and Henan. While it may not be considered a "big city" in the traditional sense, its geographical position makes it a significant node along the Taihang Mountain Range.

Experts from the Chinese Communist Party suggest that the "collective revival" of ancient springs in various regions is a reflection of successful ecological governance. However, there is an alternative perspective that views the phenomenon of "underground spring water resurgence" as a significant precursor or accompanying sign of earthquakes.

In ancient China, the resurgence of spring water, along with ground sounds and unusual animal behaviour, was often considered a crucial indicator for predicting earthquakes. For example, the "History of the Ming Dynasty: Treatise on the Five Elements" documents the occurrence of spring water resurgence during the earthquake in the 30th year of the Jiajing era (1551) in Annam Wei (present-day northern Vietnam).

Prior to the Tangshan earthquake in 1976, which claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, there were notable abnormal changes in hot springs and spring water in Tangshan and nearby areas (such as Leting). Records indicate that the water temperature increased before the earthquake, and there were reports of unusual bubbling and gushing from the springs, which are considered evidence of changes in underground water due to stress variations prior to the earthquake.

Thus, the possibility of a major earthquake occurring in cities with spring water resurgence cannot be entirely dismissed. Historically, the Taihang Mountains have experienced significant earthquakes, as this region is known for its intense tectonic activity. The eastern side borders the North China Plain, while the western side is adjacent to the Loess Plateau, leading to complex geological structures. Historical earthquakes are often associated with fault zone activity, and records indicate that this area is prone to strong earthquakes, which have significantly influenced the historical development of northern China. Among the most catastrophic events, in addition to the Tangshan earthquake, was the Shanxi earthquake in the 7th year of the Da De era (1303) during the Yuan Dynasty.

Historical records reveal that on the evening of September 17, 1303, around 8 PM (the sixth day of the eighth month in the seventh year of the Yuan Dynasty's Dade era), a sudden and powerful wind swept through the vast cities and towns of Jin Nan, producing a sound reminiscent of thunder. The mountains shook, the ground trembled, landslides and rockfalls occurred, the earth cracked, and channels collapsed. Villages and fortresses were displaced, and cities sank with houses collapsing. This event is documented in history as the 8-magnitude earthquake near Zhao City in Hongdong, with relatively detailed accounts.

The earthquake's impact reached as far north as Taiyuan and Xinding, and as far south as Yuncheng, affecting parts of Henan and Shaanxi provinces. Records from 51 prefectures, states, and counties in Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Henan provinces detail the destruction caused by this earthquake. The affected area extended along the Fen River basin, measuring 500 kilometres from north to south and 250 kilometres from east to west, with the intensity in the epicentre reaching 11 degrees.

The devastation and loss of life from this earthquake were catastrophic. In the region encompassing Huoxian, Zhao City, and Hongdong, which spanned 44 kilometres north to south and 18 kilometres east to west, nearly all buildings collapsed, with no official structures, civilian homes, or temple towers left unscathed. A significant landslide occurred in Xunbao of Zhao City County, with the landslide area stretching from the northeast at Xunbao Bridge and Hanjiazhuang to the southwest at Yingtian and Beihunbao, measuring approximately 1600 meters in length and 1400 meters in width. Villages situated on the sliding mass were displaced several kilometres, and the landslide destroyed numerous villages, water channels, and roads. Furthermore, mudslides and riverbank collapses were reported in the vicinity of the sliding mass and in the area of Matou Village to the south.

The disaster struck areas north of Zhao City, including Huo County, Lingshi, Jiexiu, Xiaoyi, Pingyao, Fenyang, Qixian, Xugou, and the southern regions of Linfen, Fushan, Xiangfen, and Quwo. Both public and private buildings were completely obliterated, with visible ground fissures and sunken cities throughout the region. Surrounding areas, extending from Xin County and Dingxiang in the north to Qinyang in Henan in the south, and from Changzhi and Zuoqiao in the east to Daming and Chaoyi in Shaanxi in the west, suffered varying degrees of destruction. The entire earthquake zone was left with almost no intact structures; even large ancient buildings such as temples, government offices, and Confucian academies, which were built with thick walls, solid foundations, and robust columns designed to withstand earthquakes, were destroyed, totalling over 1,400 buildings.

In contrast, the three counties of Wanrong, Jishan, and Linyi, situated on the Emei Plateau between the Linfen and Yuncheng Basins, experienced only minor damage. Notably, the 'Temple of the Wind and Rain Master,' located at the summit of the Emei Plateau, remained completely unharmed.

As for the death toll from this catastrophic earthquake, the 'Dadi Miao Bei' from Jixian notes that 'the Hedong earthquake injured over 200,000 people, with only three or four out of ten houses still standing.' The 'Linfen County Chronicle' from the Wanli period states, 'At that time, over 200,000 people perished, and the disaster was extremely severe.'

According to the 'Yuan·Historical Geography,' at that time, the Taiyuan Road encompassed over twenty prefectures and counties, including most of present-day Taiyuan City, Jinzhong, Xinzhou, and Lüliang, with a population of 155,321. The Pingyang Road included over fifty prefectures and counties, covering most of present-day Linfen, Yuncheng, and parts of southeastern Jin, with a population of 270,121. The combined population of the two roads was 425,441, and the death toll from this earthquake was approximately 50% of the total population, with some counties in the most severely affected areas reaching as high as 70%. An inscription on the brick wall of the Yuan Tomb in Jiajiacun, Xiaoyi County, reads, 'All houses collapsed, the ground was level, and the people died with no one to bury them.'

In light of the devastating disaster, Yuan Chengzong issued 96,500 pieces of currency, sent envoys for relief efforts, exempted tax obligations, opened mountain fields and river docks, and permitted the populace to gather resources to endure the disaster year. Following the major earthquake, aftershocks persisted for several years, and with three consecutive years of drought leading to poor harvests, the people faced extreme hardship, becoming homeless and displaced.

So, will history repeat itself? Is the resurgence of springs in various regions a warning from above? How should people prepare for such events? Clearly, for the residents of the 'Four Provinces of Mountains and Rivers', the only way to avoid disaster is to distance themselves from the Chinese Communist Party and withdraw from this malevolent organisation that is committed to harming the Chinese people.

(First published in People News) △