Taiwan's seismic activity : causes, impacts, and preparedness

Despite its size , Taiwan offers a wealth of picturesque destinations to explore. Every year, droves of tourists from around the world descend upon its shores to witness the natural beauty that abounds in this country.

However, Taiwan grapples with a significant challenge- the constant threat of earthquakes due to its position at the convergence of two tectonic plates. The island's history is marked by numerous notable earthquakes that have badly impacted its landscape and inhabitants.

 True , earthquakes are a common occurrence in Taiwan .Geologists warn that Taiwan's geological setting makes it prone to  seismic activity, with earthquakes occurring nearly every year or at regular intervals.

Taiwan lies in the area called the Ring of Fire means the area that belongs to the seismically and volcanically active zone where world's largest earthquakes occurred.

while not all prove catastrophic, some unleash destruction, claiming numerous lives and devastating communities.

These earthquakes often register a magnitude around 6 on the Richter scale ,but on the morning of April 3rd , 2024  tremor surged to a formidable 7.2 on the Richter scale . It is considered the strongest in decades in Taiwan, causing widespread devastation that reduced buildings to rubble .Countless structures were destroyed, leaving many homeless.

  

The epicentre of the earthquake was Hualien city, 18 kms ,south of Taiwan 's at a depth of 34.8 kilometres.

There within the mountainous expanse , seismic activity triggered landslides resulting in debris damaging vehicles on the road and leading to deaths. 

Taiwan's first recorded earthquake dates back to 1624 .The major earthquake prone areas in Taiwan include Hualien, Taitung, Yilan , Taipei ,Chiayi.

Here the building constructions are done according to strict adherence to rigorous safety protocols. Taiwan's susceptibility to earthquake has prompted the implementation of rigorous building codes and disaster preparedness measures.

 The government has invested heavily in seismic retrofitting of buildings, especially in densely populated urban areas ,to mitigate the impact of future earthquakes.

Despite these efforts, Taiwan continues to face the ever-present threat of seismic activity. The most devastating seismic activity in recent memory occurred on September 21, 1999, measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale , resulting in the deaths of 2400 lives.