As a result of the magnitude 7.9 earthquake and the many strong aftershocks, many rivers became blocked by large landslides, which resulted in the formation of "quake lakes" behind the blockages; these massive amounts of water were pooling up at a very high rate behind the natural landslide dams and it was feared that the blockages would eventually crumble under the weight of the ever-increasing water mass, potentially endangering the lives of millions of people living downstream. As of May 27, 2008, 34 lakes had formed due to earthquake debris blocking and damming rivers, and it was estimated that 28 of them were still of potential danger to the local people. Entire villages had to be evacuated because of the resultant flooding. COUNT 8
QSN1 What formed behind blockages? ANS1 quake lakes QSN2 How many quake lakes formed? ANS2 34 QSN3 How many of the lakes were a danger to people? ANS3 28 QSN4 What was the magnitude of the Sichuan earthquake? ANS4 7.9 QSN5 What blocked many of the area's rivers? ANS5 large landslides QSN6 What formed behind the blocked rivers? ANS6 quake lakes QSN7 By May 27, how many earthquake lakes had formed up behind landslide debris? ANS7 34 QSN8 What had to be evacuated due to potential flooding? ANS8 Entire villages