Taiwan Hit by Strongest Earthquake in 25 Years: 7.5 Magnitude, Casualties Reported, Landslides, Power Outages in 91k Homes

On Wednesday, April 3rd, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck Taiwan. The earthquake was also felt in Japan and the Philippines. According to Taiwan’s Fire Department, four people have died, and 50 others have been injured.

According to Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau, the earthquake occurred in the eastern Taiwanese city of Hualien. Its epicenter was located 34 kilometers below the Earth’s surface. The earthquake was experienced at around 5:30 AM Indian Standard Time. Many buildings were damaged, and landslides occurred. Numerous aftershocks have been reported, with the most intense being of magnitude 6.5.

The epicenter of the earthquake was in Hualien City in eastern Taiwan. According to Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau, this is the most dangerous earthquake to hit Taiwan in 25 years. The last severe earthquake occurred in 1999, measuring 7.6 in magnitude, resulting in the deaths of over 2,000 people.

Looking at the damage caused in Taiwan…

According to Taiwan’s media, over 10,000 homes in Taiwan have experienced power outages due to the earthquake. Both the water and power plants have suffered damage, leading to disruptions in electricity supply. Efforts are underway to restore power supply.

The tsunami alert issued for Japan and the Philippines has been lifted. Following the earthquake, tsunami alerts were announced for Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines. Japan’s meteorological department had warned of waves up to 3 meters (about 10 feet) in the sea. However, the tsunami alert has now been lifted for both Japan and the Philippines.

Looking at the damage in Japan…

Many people were injured in the earthquake in Japan, and there are reports of difficulty in providing assistance to them. This is due to the significant damage to major roads caused by the earthquake, making it difficult for doctors to reach affected areas.

China also experienced tremors from the earthquake. The earthquake in Taiwan was so powerful that its tremors were felt all the way to Shanghai, China. According to Chinese media, the earthquake was also felt in Fuzhou, Xiamen, Quanzhou, and Ningde.

Furthermore, on Tuesday, Japan experienced a 6.1 magnitude earthquake. The quake’s epicenter was in the northern part of Iwate and Aomori prefectures. According to Japan’s meteorological agency, the earthquake’s center was off the coast of Iwate prefecture. However, there is currently no information available regarding casualties or damages.

The Ring of Fire is an expansive area where seismic activity is particularly intense. Earthquakes occur frequently in this region due to its proximity to the junction of two tectonic plates. The Izu-Bonin-Mariana Arc, where the earthquake in Taiwan occurred, is a prime example of such a region. When these plates interact, earthquakes are triggered. The resulting seismic activity can also cause tsunamis and volcanic eruptions.

Approximately 90% of the world’s earthquakes occur within the Ring of Fire. This vast area spans about 40,000 kilometers and is home to some of the most active volcanoes globally. Of the 15 countries located within the Ring of Fire, notable ones include Japan, Russia, the Philippines, Indonesia, New Zealand, Antarctica, Canada, the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Peru, Ecuador, Chile, and Bolivia.

Earthquakes occur primarily due to the movement and interaction of the Earth’s tectonic plates. Our planet’s surface is made up of several large and numerous small tectonic plates that constantly shift and sometimes collide with each other. When these plates collide, a lot of pressure can build up, causing them to fracture. In such situations, the energy accumulated from beneath seeks a way to release, resulting in an earthquake.

Every year, approximately 20,000 earthquakes are recorded worldwide. However, most of these earthquakes are of low intensity. The National Earthquake Information Center records around 22,000 earthquakes annually, but only about 100 of them cause significant damage. Earthquakes can last from a fraction of a second to several minutes. The longest-lasting earthquake in recorded history occurred in the Indian Ocean in 2004, lasting for about 10 minutes.