7.0 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Taiwan

A powerful 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck off Taiwan’s northeastern coast late Saturday, rattling buildings across the island, including in the capital Taipei, but causing no immediate reports of major damage.

According to Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration, the quake occurred at 11:05 pm local time, around 32 kilometers off the coast of Yilan County, at a depth of 73 kilometers. Strong tremors were felt across northern Taiwan, prompting the authorities to issue emergency alerts to mobile phones nationwide.

Local media reported minor damage, including fallen ceiling panels and toppled supermarket shelves, while rail operators temporarily reduced speeds on conventional and high-speed train services as a precaution. The Taipei city government later confirmed that no significant structural damage had been identified.

Officials said the earthquake was not strong enough to trigger a tsunami warning. President Lai Ching-te urged residents to remain vigilant, check on relatives and neighbors, and prepare for potential aftershocks.

The shaking briefly disrupted operations at a limited number of facilities belonging to TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker. The company said staff were evacuated outdoors in line with safety procedures and that all critical systems were functioning normally.

Taiwan plays a central role in global semiconductor supply chains, producing the world’s most advanced chips. Any prolonged disruption to its chipmaking industry could have far-reaching consequences for sectors ranging from consumer electronics to automotive manufacturing.

Earthquakes are frequent in Taiwan due to its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire. In April 2024, a 7.2-magnitude quake killed at least 18 people, while a devastating 7.3-magnitude earthquake in 1999 claimed more than 2,000 lives.