Taiwan: 5.9 magnitude earthquake felt in Taipei – No reports of casualties or serious damage

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The earthquake was felt shortly after noon (06:00 Greek time) and its epicenter was located in the sea area 30 kilometers from the coast of Hualien. The focal depth was small, only six kilometers

A 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck off Taiwan’s east coast, the island’s meteorological and seismological agency said, and was felt in the capital, Taipei.

So far, no casualties have been reported, and no serious material damage has been reported.

The earthquake was felt shortly after noon (local time; 06:00 Greek time) and its epicenter was located in the sea area 30 kilometers off the coast of Hualien. The focal depth was at 15 kilometers.

The American Geophysical Institute (USGS) estimated that the earthquake had a lower magnitude, 5.9 degrees, and a greater focal depth, 12 kilometers. The Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Center (EMSC) calculated for its part that the strength of the tremor was 6.1 degrees.

Taiwan is frequently hit by strong earthquakes, as it lies above a point where two tectonic plates intersect.

Earthquakes of magnitude 6 or higher can be deadly, but this depends on location and focal depth.

In September, a stronger 6.9-magnitude earthquake, also in eastern Taiwan, killed one person and damaged buildings.

More than 100 people were killed due to an earthquake in the southern part of the country in 2016.

An extremely destructive 7.3-magnitude earthquake killed more than 2,400 people in Taiwan in 1999.

RES-EMP

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