New Delhi: A powerful earthquake struck the eastern coast of Taiwan on Tuesday evening, according to the US. Geological Survey (USGS). The quake had a magnitude of 6.4 and was centred approximately 71 kilometres south of Hualien city, at a depth of 31.1 kilometres.
Epicenter and impact
The earthquake occurred at around 7:01 PM local time, triggering immediate mobile alerts regarding the earthquake across the region.
Residents in Taipei, roughly 154 kilometres west of the epicentre, reported buildings shaking for nearly a minute. As of now, there are no confirmed reports of significant damage or casualties, though assessments are ongoing.
Preparedness in a high-risk zone
Taiwan is located along the seismically active Ring of Fire, where the Philippine Sea Plate meets the Eurasian Plate, making it highly prone to earthquakes.
Since the devastating 7.7 magnitude quake in 1999, which claimed over 2,400 lives, Taiwan has significantly improved its earthquake resilience. These measures include stricter building codes, advanced early warning systems, widespread public preparedness programs, including regular earthquake drills and awareness campaigns.
Authorities continue to monitor aftershocks and are urging the public to stay alert and follow official safety advisories.
What is a seismic zone
A seismic zone refers to a geographical region that is prone to earthquakes due to tectonic activity such as movement of earth’s plates, fault lines or volcanic activity.
