A powerful 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck waters off the northeastern coast of Taiwan late on Saturday, marking the second major tremor in three days, according to Taiwan’s weather administration, as reported by Reuters.
The earthquake hit around 32 km off the coast of Yilan at a depth of 73 km and was strongly felt in the capital city Taipei, where residents reported buildings shaking. Authorities said assessments were underway, but no immediate reports of major damage or casualties had been received. Taiwan’s fire department confirmed that no tsunami warning was issued.
Videos circulating on social media showed people rushing outdoors as structures swayed during the tremor.
Taiwan lies near the convergence of two tectonic plates, making it one of the most earthquake-prone regions in the world.
Recent seismic activity
Earlier this week, a 6.0-magnitude shallow earthquake struck southeastern Taiwan’s Taitung county on Wednesday evening, according to the US Geological Survey. The quake, which occurred at a depth of about 10 km, was felt as far north as Taipei, though officials said transport networks were unaffected. Television footage showed items falling from shelves in local supermarkets.
On December 18, another 5.1-magnitude earthquake hit off the coast near Hualien city, briefly shaking buildings in Taipei but causing no reported damage.
History of major earthquakes
The latest tremors come months after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake in April 2024, the strongest to hit Taiwan in 25 years, which killed at least 17 people, triggered landslides and caused widespread damage around Hualien.
Taiwan has a long history of deadly earthquakes. A 7.3-magnitude quake in 1999 killed more than 2,000 people, while a 2016 earthquake in southern Taiwan claimed over 100 lives. Records show that between 1901 and 2000, the island experienced 91 major earthquakes, nearly half of which resulted in fatalities.
