Strong Quake Strikes Taiwan's Yilan County, Violent Shaking Felt in Taipei

On Sunday, a powerful earthquake rocked northern Taiwan, causing significant shaking throughout Taipei, according to THE STRAITS TIMES.

The quake had a magnitude of 6.5 according to Taiwan's official weather office, but only a magnitude of 6.2 was reported by the US Geological Survey.

At 1.11 p.m., it struck northern Yilan county at a depth of 67 kilometres.

According to a correspondent in Taipei, the shaking lasted around 10 seconds and was the largest earthquake of the year thus far.

As the island sits at the crossroads of two tectonic plates, Taiwan is subjected to earthquakes on a regular basis.

Although much depends on where the quake occurs and at what depth, some earthquakes of this magnitude can be deadly.

In 2018, a 6.4-magnitude earthquake devastated Hualien, a gorgeous tourist hub, killing 17 people and injuring almost 300.

A 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck the island in September 1999, killing over 2,400 people in the biggest natural disaster in the island's history.

However, in December 2020, a 6.2 earthquake struck Yilan, causing no serious damage or injuries.