Taiwan hit by strongest earthquake in two decades, tsunami alerts issued

TAIPEI: A 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit the island of Taiwan around 8 am local time on Wednesday.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake’s epicentre is located just 18 kilometres (km) south of the Hualien county. The depth of the Hualien county earthquake is estimated at almost 34.8 km.

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The Central Weather Administration, Taiwan’s meteorological department, issued tsunami warnings around 10 am local time. The department advised the public to be “careful of strong shaking” and seek shelter.

The Central Weather Administration also reported several tremors following the main Hualien county earthquake.

According to the Taiwanese media, at least 14 people were killed and 50 injured following the earthquake.

As per media reports, this is the strongest earthquake to jolt the island since in decades. More than two decades ago, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit the Taiwan capital, Taipei. The devastating tremors left more than 2,400 people dead and almost 10,000 injured.

Taiwan is located in what is known as the “Ring of Fire”, a curved zone encircling the Pacific Ocean. The area is for its high seismic and volcanic activity.

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The “ring” extends from the western coast of South America, along the western and northern tips of North America, runs along Japan and South East Asia into New Zealand.

This region experiences a high frequency of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions due to the movement of the tectonic plates.