Taiwan was struck by a series of tremors early Tuesday morning, just weeks after a powerful earthquake rocked the island state. The strongest among them registered a magnitude of 6.1, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of casualties from these tremors. However, further damage was reported to two multi-story buildings that had previously been evacuated following a destructive quake earlier this month.
The 3 April earthquake, which struck the coastal region of rural and mountainous Hualien County, proved to be Taiwan’s strongest in 25 years, resulting in significant devastation and the loss of at least 13 lives and triggering hundreds of aftershocks.
Details of the Quakes
According to the USGS, the epicentre of Tuesday’s quake was located approximately 28 kilometres south of Hualien city, with a depth of 10.7 kilometres. Additional quakes, ranging from magnitudes 4.5 to 6, occurred near Hualien, according to reports from Taiwan’s own earthquake monitoring centre. While minor discrepancies in magnitude readings are common, the impact of these tremors was felt across the island, with significant aftershocks reported in Taipei which is situated approximately 150 kilometres northwest.
Damage Caused
The Full Hotel in downtown Hualien underwent partial collapse during the recent quakes while the nearby Tong Shuai Building, already scheduled for demolition following severe damage in the 3 April quake, remained empty during the latest shocks. Schools and offices in Hualien and surrounding areas were closed on Tuesday as hundreds of aftershocks continued to strike both on land and off the coast in the Pacific Ocean.
Taiwan’s Mitigation
The island has implemented strict building codes and widespread public education campaigns to minimize casualties during seismic events. These measures, along with the shallow depth of many of the aftershocks, are credited with preventing a more serious disaster. However, the 1999 earthquake, which measured 7.7 magnitude, serves as a reminder of the destructive potential of these events. Back then, over 2400 people lost their lives.
