Wenchuan aftershocks as an example of self-organized criticality

► We develop a novel Wenchuan aftershocks model based on the spirit of self-organized criticality (SOC). ► The new model can give a good prediction of the statistical seismology. ► Increasing information will gain important insight into the physics of Wenchuan earthquake. ► Increasing information will guide post-disaster reconstruction and reduce the hazard of large aftershocks in seismic events.