6.1-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Southeast Taiwan, Tremors Felt Across Region

A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck southeastern Taiwan on Wednesday evening, triggering tremors across parts of China, the Philippines, and Japan. Authorities said there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties, offering relief in a region prone to seismic activity. The quake occurred at around 5:47 pm local time, according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration (CWA).

Epicentre and Depth Details

The CWA said the earthquake’s epicentre was located 10.1 kilometres north of the Taitung County Hall, at a depth of 11.9 kilometres. The relatively shallow depth caused the tremors to be felt widely, even outside Taiwan.

Taiwan uses a seismic intensity scale ranging from 1 to 7, which measures the strength of shaking experienced at different locations.

In Taitung County, the earthquake registered an intensity level of 5, indicating strong shaking. Hualien and Pingtung counties experienced an intensity level of 4, while milder tremors were reported in other parts of the island.

No Damage Reported So Far

Taiwan’s National Fire Agency confirmed that no damage or injuries had been reported immediately after the quake. Emergency services remained on alert to respond to any delayed incidents.
Officials said inspections were underway in vulnerable areas, including mountainous regions, where landslides are a common risk following earthquakes.

Impact on Industry and Infrastructure

Taiwan is home to some of the world’s most critical semiconductor manufacturing facilities. Following the quake, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) said the tremors were not strong enough to warrant evacuation of its factories across the island.

The company added that operations continued normally and there was no disruption to production, easing concerns over potential global supply chain impacts.

Earthquakes Common in Taiwan

Taiwan lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the most seismically active zones in the world. The island regularly experiences earthquakes of varying magnitudes.

The latest tremor revived memories of a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Taiwan’s Hualien region on April 3, 2024. That quake was the strongest to hit the island in 25 years.

The 2024 earthquake killed 19 people, injured more than 1,100, and caused widespread damage. Several buildings collapsed or tilted, and landslides were reported in mountainous areas.

Historical Context of Major Quakes

The April 2024 quake was the most severe since the Chi-Chi earthquake of September 21, 1999, which measured 7.7 in magnitude. That disaster claimed over 2,400 lives and caused extensive destruction across central Taiwan.

Another deadly quake struck southern Taiwan in 2016, measuring 6.4 in magnitude, killing more than 100 people and leaving hundreds injured.

Authorities Urge Preparedness

Although Wednesday’s earthquake caused no damage, authorities urged residents to remain vigilant and follow safety guidelines. Emergency agencies reiterated the importance of earthquake preparedness, especially in high-risk zones.
Seismologists continue to monitor aftershocks, though none of significant strength had been reported at the time of writing.