7.4-magnitude earthquake hits near Taiwan's eastern shores, triggering tsunami alerts

A strong earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale hit near Taiwan’s eastern coast on Wednesday. The US Geological Survey reported the earthquake, which led to tsunami warnings being issued for both Taiwan and southern Japan.

The epicenter of the earthquake is situated approximately 18 kilometers (11 miles) south of Hualien city.

Taiwan's Central Weather Administration warned of a possible tsunami after the earthquake. The warning was sent out to residents, but not everyone got it. People were told to move to higher ground since a tsunami was likely to hit the northern coastal area.

The Japan Meteorological Agency also issued a tsunami warning for Miyakojima and Okinawa islands, predicting waves as high as 3 meters that could arrive at any moment.

A magnitude 6.5 aftershock was felt in Taiwan, following several others, as reported by the USGS.

Taiwan sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for frequent seismic and volcanic events extending from Indonesia to Chile.

The island experiences frequent earthquakes, with a devastating magnitude 6.2 quake striking near Hualien in 2018. This unfortunate event resulted in the loss of at least 17 lives and left over 300 individuals injured. Additionally, in 1999, the most significant earthquake in recent history claimed the lives of 2,400 people.

Hualien County, where approximately 300,000 people reside, is located near the renowned Taroko Gorge, which is a well-liked destination for tourists.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Editor's P/S:

The recent earthquake off Taiwan's coast serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of seismic events and the importance of preparedness. The intensity of the 7.4 magnitude quake, coupled with the subsequent tsunami warnings, highlights the potential risks faced by communities in seismically active regions.

As Taiwan resides within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a highly active zone for geological activity, it remains vulnerable to future earthquakes and tsunamis. The 2018 quake near Hualien and the devastating 1999 earthquake are somber examples of the potential consequences. It is crucial that authorities implement robust disaster management plans and educate residents on appropriate safety measures to minimize the impact of such events. Furthermore, international collaboration and information sharing among seismic monitoring systems can aid in providing timely warnings and facilitating coordinated responses.