A series of earthquakes, the most powerful of which registered a magnitude of 6.1, struck Taiwan early Tuesday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.
The tremors occurred just over two weeks after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake shook the island, resulting in 13 fatalities and more than 1,000 injuries. The earlier quake, which was centered off the coast of the rural and mountainous Hualien County, was the strongest to hit Taiwan in 25 years and was followed by numerous aftershocks.
According to the USGS, the epicenter of Tuesday’s 6.1 magnitude quake was located 28 kilometers (17.5 miles) south of the city of Hualien, at a depth of 10.7 kilometers. The other half-dozen quakes ranged in magnitude from 4.5 to 6, all occurring near Hualien.
Taiwan is prone to significant earthquakes, but thanks to its exceptional earthquake preparedness, the impact on the high-tech island’s 23 million inhabitants has been relatively contained, according to experts. The island also has stringent building codes and extensive public education campaigns on earthquake safety.
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Taiwan in 1999 resulted in the tragic loss of 2,400 lives.
