A significant earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale struck the eastern region of Taiwan early on Wednesday morning, triggering tsunami alerts for Taiwan, southern Japan, and the Philippines. The epicenter, as per the United States Geological Survey (USGS), was located 18 kilometers south of Taiwan’s Hualien City, with a depth of 34.8 kilometers.
Japan’s Meteorological Agency issued tsunami warnings, cautioning of waves up to three meters high for remote Japanese islands, including Miyakojima island. Taiwan issued tsunami alerts via text messages to coastal residents, urging them to be vigilant and prepared for sudden surges in waves.
The quake’s impact was felt across Taiwan, from Pingtung county in the south to Taipei in the north, with reports of strong shaking sensations. Taipei’s metro briefly halted operations but resumed within an hour, while residents received gas leak warnings from local authorities.
Officials described the earthquake as the strongest felt in Taiwan in decades. Wu Chien-fu, director of Taipei’s Central Weather Administration’s Seismology Center, highlighted its severity, comparing it to the 1999 earthquake, which claimed around 2,400 lives.
Warnings of potential aftershocks with magnitudes ranging from 6.5 to 7 in the next three days were issued, prompting authorities to advise the public to stay alert and prepared for evacuation.
Due to its location near tectonic plate junctions, Taiwan is susceptible to earthquakes, experiencing frequent seismic activity. Nearby Japan also faces around 1,500 tremors annually.
Philippines issued tsunami warnings for coastal regions, including Batanes, Cagayan, Illocos Norte, and Isabela, while in Japan, evacuation orders were issued, urging residents to move to safer areas. Okinawa’s main airport suspended flights as a precaution, and ports observed vessels heading out to sea for protection.
While most quakes in the region are mild, the severity of tsunamis and their impact vary based on factors such as epicenter depth and location. Japan, in particular, has faced devastating earthquakes, with the 2011 Tohoku earthquake triggering a tsunami that caused significant casualties and a nuclear disaster at the Fukushima plant.
