The US Geological Survey (USGS) reports that a 6.7 magnitude earthquake has hit Taiwan on Wednesday. The tremor took place approximately five miles off the coast between the southeastern city of Taitung and Hualien to the north.
The China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC) reported that the earthquake jolted waters off Taidong County at 1:41 a.m. BJT on March 23. The epicenter was located at 23.45 degrees north latitude and 121.55 degrees east longitude.
According to Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau, the earthquake shook infrastructure in Taipei, the capital city, but there were no immediate reports of damage. An initial quake of magnitude 5.4 occurred at 1:06 a.m., followed by a more significant magnitude 6.7 quake at 1:41 a.m. An aftershock of magnitude 6.1 followed two minutes later.
More than 14 million people reported feeling the shaking more than 248.5 miles away from the epicenter.
Individuals who spoke to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre indicated that this was the longest-lasting quake they had experienced in quite some time. One of the individuals stated that the shaking went on for more than 30 seconds.
However, the newest quake received a “green” rating from the USGS, indicating a minimal probability of deaths or damage.
The last time an earthquake of this magnitude struck Taiwan was in January when a 6.2 quake struck the country’s east coast. However, no reports of extensive damage or casualties were received.
In July 2021, Taiwan was hit by a series of twenty-two earthquakes on the east coast that caused some damage. In 2018, a 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck Hualien, a popular tourist destination, killing seventeen people and injuring 300.
Taiwan is hit by earthquakes regularly because the island is located near the junction of two tectonic plates.
Earthquakes more than 6.0 in magnitude are characterized as deadly in most parts of the world, except in Taiwan Island, which constantly experiences earthquakes ranging between 3.0 and 6.9. There, the quakes are classified as dangerous depending on where they strike and their depth.
Tsunami warnings are not issued in Taiwan unless the magnitude of the earthquake exceeds 7.0.