Taiwan experienced a flurry of seismic activity, with over 80 earthquakes striking the east coast from Monday evening into the early hours of Tuesday morning. The strongest tremor registered at 6.3 on the Richter scale, as reported by Taiwan’s Meteorological Administration.
The epicenter of the most potent earthquake was identified in the sparsely populated region of Hualien, situated in eastern Taiwan. Despite its remoteness, the quake’s impact reverberated to the capital city of Taipei.
Fortunately, immediate reports following the seismic swarm indicated no casualties or significant damages. However, the region remains on alert due to its susceptibility to seismic events.
Taiwan’s Vulnerability to Earthquakes
Taiwan’s geological positioning places it in a precarious zone between two tectonic plates, rendering it highly susceptible to earthquakes. This geographical reality underscores the ongoing threat faced by the island nation.
Previous Quake Tragedies
This recent seismic activity recalls the devastation wrought by past earthquakes in Taiwan. On April 3, another powerful earthquake struck the east coast, claiming at least 14 lives and causing extensive infrastructure damage. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded the magnitude of the April 3 earthquake at 7.2, with its epicenter located 18 km south of Hualien city. This seismic event marked the most potent tremor in Taiwan in a quarter-century.
Past Catastrophes
The memory of Taiwan’s deadliest earthquake in recent history, a magnitude 7.6 temblor in September 1999 that claimed over two thousand lives, serves as a somber reminder of the island’s vulnerability to seismic disasters.
| Date | Areas | Mag. | Deaths | Injuries | Houses Destroyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1906-03-17 | Chiayi | 6.8 Ms | 1,258–1,266 | 2,385– 2,476 | 14,218–30,021 |
| 2024-04-03 | Hualien | 7.4 Mw | 17 | 1,145 | Some buildings collapsed / Bridge collapsed |
| 2016-02-06 | Tainan, Kaohsiung | 6.4 Mw | 117 | 550 | 9 |
| 2018-02-06 | Hualien | 6.4 Mw | 17 | 277 | Some buildings collapsed |
| 2022-09-18 | Taitung | 6.9 Mw | 1 | 171 | Some buildings collapsed / Bridge collapsed |
| 2013-03-27 | Island-wide | 5.9 Mw | 1 | 97 | |
| 2010-03-04 | Kaohsiung | 6.3 Mw | 96 | ||
| 1927-08-25 | Tainan | 6.8 Muk | 9–30 | 27–100 | 200–214 |
| 1920-06-05 | Hualien | 8.2 | 8 | 24 | 273 |
| 2013-06-02 | Island-wide | 6.2 Mw | 5 | 18 |
What caused the sudden flurry of earthquakes along Taiwan’s east coast?
The seismic activity was triggered by the movement of tectonic plates in the region, a common occurrence in Taiwan due to its location near the convergence of two major plates.
