Taiwan earthquake

1. Powerful earthquake hits Taiwan, causing building collapses.
2. Magnitude 7.4 (USGS) or 7.5 (Japan’s Meteorological Agency).
3. Originated 18 km south of Hualien City, triggering tsunami alert.

Taiwan, April 03: A powerful earthquake struck the entire island of Taiwan, causing buildings to collapse and triggering a tsunami alert across the region.

The quake, with a magnitude of 7.4 according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and 7.5 according to Japan’s Meteorological Agency, originated 18 kilometers south of Taiwan’s Hualien City at a depth of 34.8 km.

Tsunami warnings were issued for Taiwan and parts of southern Japan, with waves as high as three meters expected, particularly for remote Japanese islands like Miyakojima.

Japanese national broadcaster NHK urged immediate evacuation, emphasizing the imminent threat of the tsunami and advising against returning to affected areas.

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Taiwan, situated near the convergence of two tectonic plates, frequently experiences earthquakes. The deadliest in its history was a 7.6-magnitude quake in September 1999, claiming around 2,400 lives.

Japan, with approximately 1,500 earthquakes annually, employs advanced construction methods and strict regulations to minimize damage. Despite these measures, the severity of quakes and resulting tsunamis can vary significantly.

Japan’s worst earthquake occurred in March 2011, registering 9.0 in magnitude and triggering a devastating tsunami that claimed thousands of lives and caused the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

Despite ongoing efforts to enhance safety measures, events like the 2024 New Year’s Day quake in Noto Peninsula, which killed over 230 people, underscore the continued vulnerability of certain structures, particularly older buildings.