There has been a lot of destruction in Taiwan. Meanwhile, Japan has also issued a tsunami alert.
Taiwan was hit by a powerful earthquake today. The entire island was shaken by the earthquake. Many buildings collapsed. Taiwan’s earthquake has also created a threat to Japan. A tsunami warning has been issued for Okinawa, southern Japan. Flights from here have been canceled. A tsunami warning has also been issued for the Philippines. Evacuation of coastal areas has been ordered. Japan’s Meteorological Agency predicted tsunami waves of up to 3 meters (9.8 feet) after the earthquake.
Three Earthquakes in 24 hours
There have been three major earthquakes in Taiwan in the last 24 hours. Three earthquakes of magnitude 6.4, 6.8 and then 7.2. There has been a lot of destruction in Taiwan.
Tsunami Alert in Japan and Taiwan
In view of these earthquakes, Japan has issued a tsunami alert. Taiwan’s Meteorological Bureau said that the epicenter of the earthquakes was visible in Taitung County, located in the south-eastern region. An earthquake of 6.4 magnitude occurred in the same area on Saturday. Then on Sunday morning an earthquake of 6.8 magnitude occurred. After this, an earthquake of 7.2 magnitude occurred at the same place in the afternoon. Which was born 10 kilometers underground from the surface of Taitung.
Scale of the Earthquake
Taiwan’s Seismological Measurement System reported the magnitude of the earthquake as 7.2 on the Richter scale. The United States Geological Survey said it was a magnitude 7.4 earthquake. The epicenter of the earthquake is about 18 kilometers south of Hualin city. In Hualin, the foundations of buildings collapsed. The earthquake was felt in the capital, Taipei.
Most powerful earthquake in the last 25 years
Many buildings collapsed in Hualin, Taiwan due to the earthquake. A lot of damage was done. Speed train service has been stopped. People were evacuated from underground railway stations. This is the strongest earthquake in Taiwan in the last 25 years.
What did the US Geological Survey say?
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), an earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale shook the east coast of Taiwan on Wednesday. A tsunami warning has been issued in southern Japan due to the earthquake. A magnitude 5+ earthquake was reported in Yilan County in the northeast and Miaoli County in the north. Intensity level 5+ was reported in northern Taipei City, New Taipei City, Taoyuan City and Hsinchu County, Taichung City, Changhua County.
Citizens are requested to move to higher ground
The metro system was shut down in Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung due to the earthquake. A tsunami warning has been issued in the coastal region of Miyakojima, Yeyama region of southwestern Japan in Okinawa Prefecture. According to an NHK report, authorities have urged residents in the area to move to safer ground on higher ground.
Taiwan is prone to earthquakes
Taiwan falls in the Ring of Fire area. This area is at a place where earthquakes occur the most. Tsunami comes. Volcanic eruptions occur. Actually, Taiwan is situated very close to two tectonic plates. If there is any kind of movement between these two, then Taiwan remains at risk of both earthquake and tsunami. Earlier, 100 people had died in Taiwan due to the earthquake in 2016. Whereas, in 1999, 2000 people were killed in an earthquake of 7.3 magnitude.
-Rahul Dubey