Abstract: An earthquake with M_S = 6.2 took place between Zhang bei and Shangyi counties, Hebei province on January 10, 1998. The epicenter is located in the area of 41°06′N , 114°8′E, with the focal depth of 10 km. The obvious earthquake precursory appeared 2 years ago: a significant seismic belt emerged with earthquakes with M≥ 4, regional seismic activity increased and bvalue became lower than before. Several days to several months before the main shock, the precursors were also found, such as ground tilt in Chicheng and Zhangjiakou, geo electric resistivity in Yangyuan and Baochang , water level in Yangqing, geomagnetic field and low-point displacement in Hohhot and Beijing, thermal infrared image in North China, etc. There are more medium-and short-term precursors, but fewer imminent earthquake precursors.
The boundary region of Shanxi Province, Hebei Province and Inner Mongolia, including Zhangbei county, has been listed as a special risk region for earthquake with M = 5~6 since early 1997. In spite of having a clear yearly medium-term prediction, the imminent earthquake prediction failed.

Key words: Earthquake Prediction, Seismic precursory anomal, special risk region for earthquakes, Zhangbei MS 6.2 earthquake