Taiwan Experiences Cluster of Earthquakes, Strongest Measuring 6.1
A series of earthquakes struck the island nation of Taiwan on Tuesday morning, with the strongest measuring 6.1 in magnitude, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
Although no fatalities were reported from the quakes, further damage occurred to two previously evacuated multi-story buildings following a 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck the island earlier this month, resulting in 13 deaths and over 1,000 injuries.
The epicenter of Tuesday’s 6.1 magnitude quake was located 28 kilometers south of Hualien City at a depth of 10.7 kilometers, as reported by the USGS. Other quakes in the cluster ranged in magnitude from 4.5 to 6, all in the vicinity of Hualien.
Taiwan’s earthquake monitoring center reported the initial quake’s magnitude as 6.3, with such minor differences between monitoring stations being common. Notably, two earthquakes of magnitudes 6.0 and 6.3 occurred at 2:26 a.m. and 2:32 a.m. respectively, as per the Taiwan center.
Many of the numerous aftershocks were felt in upper floors of apartment buildings in the capital city of Taipei, located approximately 150 kilometers northwest across steep mountain terrain.
In Hualien’s downtown area, the Full Hotel partially collapsed during the earthquakes, causing it to lean at a sharp angle. However, it was undergoing renovations and remained unoccupied at the time. Another nearby building, Tong Shuai, was also empty, having been marked for demolition due to severe damage sustained in the April 3 quake.
Schools and offices in Hualien and its surrounding county were ordered closed on Tuesday as hundreds of aftershocks continued to strike both on land and just offshore in the Pacific Ocean, the majority measuring below magnitude 3.
Taiwan has faced numerous significant earthquakes in the past, yet its impact on the technologically advanced island’s 23 million inhabitants has been relatively limited, attributed to its excellent earthquake preparedness measures, strict construction standards, and comprehensive public education campaigns. However, in 1999, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Taiwan caused the tragic loss of 2,400 lives.
