Imagine almost every single man, woman and child living in Pocatello dead... with death tolls from the recent earthquake expected to reach 50thousand, this isn't just a picture for the Chinese, it's reality.

These are scenes of death and destruction following china's 7-point-9 magnitude earthquake. The devastating quake has left tens of thousands dead. I met with 2 visiting instructors from the region today who tell me they are heart-broken.

"I feel very sad and sorry...so many people dead...so many parents lost their children." -Yi Huang, Chengdu Local

The two are from Chengdu which is about 60 miles away from the quake's epicenter in Wenchuan. They have been watching the latest news and think the damage to their area is unimaginable.

"I just want people to know the damage has surpassed our imagination."

Dr. Scott Hughes is an ISU professor who has lived and worked in the area. H has studied the geology and says the area lies directly on a fault line and the buildings are not made to withstand a natural disaster.

"The building style is block and mortar and it collapses easily."-Dr. Hughes

"Our hearts go out to friends and colleagues who are experiencing this first hand." -Dr. Hughes

"even in front of this big disaster...our country is united."- Huang