Strong earthquake hits Taiwan shaking the capital Taipei: Event details

An earthquake measuring 5 on the Richter scale struck northeastern Taiwan today, Wednesday, causing buildings to shake in the capital Taipei and felt by residents across the island. According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake occurred at a depth of about 70 kilometers in Yilan County, a region close to the capital. Despite the intensity of the tremors affecting residential areas and public facilities, local authorities confirmed no immediate reports of any material damage or human injuries. Deep earthquakes, like this one, have a greater ability to impact wide areas of the earth, but usually result in less damage compared to shallow earthquakes, which are more severe. Taiwan regularly experiences earthquakes due to its unique geographic location, situated on the edge of two tectonic plates near the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the most seismically active regions in the world. This earthquake comes at a sensitive time, as Taiwan residents still remember the devastating earthquake that hit the island in April 2024, measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale, resulting in the death of 17 people, the strongest earthquake in the region in 25 years. Despite these tragic events, local authorities continue to enhance preparations to face any natural disasters that may occur in the future, given the ongoing seismic activity they periodically witness.