6.1 and 6.0 Magnitude Earthquakes Strike Taiwan, Causing Buildings to Sway

Two powerful earthquakes, measuring 6.1 and 6.0 in magnitude, struck Taiwan early Tuesday local time, causing buildings to sway across large parts of the country. The tremors were aftershocks from a previous major 7.2 magnitude quake that hit the island on April 3, killing at least 14 people and triggering over 1,100 aftershocks.

The U.S. Geological Survey measured the first quake at 6.1 magnitude around 2:26 am, centered approximately 28 km south of Hualien City at a shallow depth of 10.7 km. Minutes later at 2:32 am, a 6.0 magnitude quake struck about 20 km away, also at a depth of 10 km. The quakes caused light-to-moderate shaking throughout Taiwan, but there have been no initial reports of damage or casualties.

Why this matters: Taiwan is located at the junction of two tectonic plates and experiences frequent earthquakes. The April 3 quake was the most serious to hit Taiwan since 1999, when a 7.6 magnitude quake killed 2,400 people. While Taiwan's strict building standards and preparedness have helped mitigate the toll of recent major quakes, the ongoing aftershocks highlight the constant seismic risk the island faces.

In Hualien, the epicenter of the April 3 quake, a hotel building that was previously damaged started tilting overnight after the latest quakes. Schools and offices in Hualien were closed on Tuesday due to the continuous aftershocks. "The Hualien County government has announced the closure of schools and offices on Tuesday due to the ongoing aftershocks," reported Taiwan's Central News Agency.

Seismologists described the latest cluster of quakes, centered around the Hualien region on the east coast, as a "concentrated release of energy" and warned that more aftershocks could be expected in the coming days. Over 180 tremors were recorded in the 24 hours following the initial 6.1 and 6.0 magnitude quakes.

While no tsunami threat was generated by the quakes, Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau initially issued a tsunami warning that was later lifted. Authorities are continuing to assess any potential damage from the quakes and closely monitor seismic activity in the region. The April 3 quake was a sobering reminder of Taiwan's vulnerability, but the island's earthquake preparedness, public awareness campaigns, and strict construction standards have been vital in mitigating the impact of such powerful tremors.

Key Takeaways

• Two powerful quakes, 6.1 and 6.0 magnitude, struck Taiwan on April 22, 2024.
• The quakes were aftershocks from a previous 7.2 magnitude quake on April 3, killing 14.
• Taiwan is located at the junction of tectonic plates, experiencing frequent earthquakes.
• Ongoing aftershocks caused school and office closures in Hualien, the quake's epicenter.
• Taiwan's preparedness and strict building standards have helped mitigate quake impacts.