Taiwan hit by more than 80 earthquakes in less than 24 hours: The Seismic Tale of Taiwan

Over 80 earthquakes, the biggest of which measured 6.3 magnitude, struck Taiwan in a 24-hour period, devastating damage and underscoring the country’s susceptibility to earthquakes and the need of being prepared.

More than 80 earthquakes struck Taiwan’s eastern coast in less than a day, causing the island country to experience an incredible seismic event. The strongest of these earthquakes, which sent shockwaves across the region and alarmed authorities and residents alike, measured an astounding 6.3 magnitude.

A Restless Evening

The first tremors rattled Taiwan’s eastern shore on Monday night, setting off a seismic saga. In Taipei, the nation’s capital, buildings shook as locals prepared for a night of nonstop seismic activity. The Central Weather Administration confirmed that 180 tremors had occurred, many of which were classified as aftershocks from the powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck Hualien County on April 3. The earthquake activity continued into the early hours of Tuesday.

Hualien’s Persistent Struggle

This seismic assault was most severe in Hualien County, which is mostly a rural and thinly inhabited area. The county was already suffering from the devastating 7.2 magnitude quake, which left thousands of aftershocks and claimed at least 14 lives. Now, two uninhabited buildings that had already been compromised by the April 3 quake suffered additional structural damage.

Preparedness and Resilience

Taiwan’s readiness and fortitude were evident despite the worrisome frequency and severity of the earthquakes. As a precaution, employees at a few of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.’s (TSMC) plants on the western coast were promptly evacuated. TSMC is the biggest contact chip manufacturer in the world. All safety systems, according to the corporation, were operating regularly, and there was no expectation that operations would be affected.

A Background of Earthquake Risk

Due to its position along the seismically active Ring of Fire, which circles the Pacific Ocean, Taiwan is an island country that experiences regular earthquakes. 2,400 people died in the devastating 1999 earthquake, that struck Taiwan. The earthquake served as a sobering reminder of the island’s seismic fragility.

Survival Requires Preparedness and Resilience

It is impossible to overestimate the significance of resilience and readiness as Taiwan continues to struggle with the fallout from this seismic drama. In order to resist future earthquake disasters, authorities must continue to be watchful, putting in place strong emergency response procedures and strengthening infrastructure. When such natural calamities strike, citizens also need to be informed and prepared to act quickly and wisely. A magnitude 6.1 earthquake was reported to have happened near off the eastern coast of Taiwan, according to reports, underscoring the need of ongoing awareness and preparation.