In the early hours of Sunday (April 5), Hualien, Taiwan, was hit by magnitude 5.7 and 4.8 earthquakes one after another, with tremors felt across almost the entire island. According to the Central Weather Administration, the late-night magnitude 5.7 quake was an isolated event and the largest earthquake recorded locally so far this year. The agency warns that aftershocks of magnitude 5 to 5.5 may still occur in the next three days.
According to Minshi News Network, Liberty Times, and other reports, the first magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck Hualien at 1:14 a.m. on Sunday (April 5), at a depth of 17.5 kilometers, with a maximum intensity of Level 4. Another magnitude 4.8 earthquake occurred at 5:23 a.m., at a depth of 23.7 kilometers.
The epicenter was located offshore near Hualien County. The highest intensity (Level 3) was recorded in Taroko, Hualien City in Hualien County, and Nanao in Yilan County. In Taipei City and New Taipei City, the intensity was Level 1.
Lin Boyou, director at the Taiwan Earthquake Monitoring Center, pointed out that this earthquake was not only an isolated event but also the strongest to date this year. So far, there have been three earthquakes above magnitude 5.5 this year, including the 5.6 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Yilan on February 24 and the 5.7 earthquake on March 12.
Lin Boyou explained that this earthquake was the result of tectonic compression between the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate. The main cause remains the subduction of tectonic plates, and Hualien happens to be located right at the subduction zone. Earthquakes are relatively frequent in this region, ranging from deep to shallow depths.
The Taiwan Weather Administration also reminds the public that although this is a normal energy release for the Hualien area, aftershocks of magnitude 5 or 5.5 may still occur in the next three days. People are urged to remain vigilant.
The epicenter was located offshore near Hualien County. The highest intensity (Level 3) was recorded in Taroko, Hualien City in Hualien County, and Nanao in Yilan County. In Taipei City and New Taipei City, the intensity was Level 1.
Lin Boyou, director at the Taiwan Earthquake Monitoring Center, pointed out that this earthquake was not only an isolated event but also the strongest to date this year. So far, there have been three earthquakes above magnitude 5.5 this year, including the 5.6 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Yilan on February 24 and the 5.7 earthquake on March 12.
Lin Boyou explained that this earthquake was the result of tectonic compression between the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate. The main cause remains the subduction of tectonic plates, and Hualien happens to be located right at the subduction zone. Earthquakes are relatively frequent in this region, ranging from deep to shallow depths.
The Taiwan Weather Administration also reminds the public that although this is a normal energy release for the Hualien area, aftershocks of magnitude 5 or 5.5 may still occur in the next three days. People are urged to remain vigilant.