Image Credit: Taiwan News
At 6:51 p.m. on Saturday, September 21, a magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck eastern Taiwan, as reported by the Central Weather Administration (CWA). The epicentre was situated 29.4 kilometres north of Hualien County Hall, within Xiulin township, with a depth of 17 kilometres.
The strongest intensity recorded reached level 4 in Taroko and Xibao, both in Hualien County. Level 3 intensity was reported in Hualien City and Heping, along with parts of Yilan, Nantou, and Taichung Counties. Taiwan employs a scale of 1 to 7 to assess the impact of earthquakes on local populations.
This latest tremor follows a magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck Hualien County on April 3, which triggered more than 1,000 aftershocks in subsequent months. Saturday’s earthquake coincided with the 25th anniversary of the catastrophic 921 earthquake in Nantou County, which resulted in approximately 2,400 deaths nationwide.
Officials have advised residents to stay alert and be prepared for possible aftershocks. Seismologists are actively monitoring the region, examining seismic patterns and potential risks.
Local authorities and emergency services remain on standby, ready to act if further quakes occur. The CWA has assured the public that safety protocols are established, urging residents to stay updated through official communications.
As Taiwan commemorates the lessons learned from previous earthquakes, this recent event serves as a stark reminder of the region’s susceptibility to seismic activity.