A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Taiwan
An earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale struck off the northeastern coast of Taiwan and was felt in several regions of the island. The epicenter was located deep beneath the sea, which reduced the risk of serious damage. According to preliminary data, no casualties or major damage have been reported. This was reported by Focus Taiwan, citing Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau (CWA).
On Friday evening, a 6.1-magnitude earthquake was recorded off the northeastern coast of Taiwan, felt by residents in several regions of the island, including the northern and central districts. The earthquake occurred at sea, about 38.7 kilometers from the coast, which determined the nature of the tremors and their spread across the territory.
According to Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau, the event occurred at 8:39 p.m. local time, which corresponds to 3:39 p.m. Kyiv time, and the epicenter was located at a depth of approximately 98.3 kilometers, a significant factor that reduces the earthquake’s destructive potential at the surface. It is precisely because of this depth that the tremors, although noticeable, did not cause serious damage to infrastructure.
The strongest ground motion was felt in the counties of Yilan, Hsinchu, Nantou, and Hualien, where the intensity reached level 4 on a seven-point scale, corresponding to noticeable but not critical tremors. At the same time, in major cities such as New Taipei, Taipei, and Hsinchu, as well as in a number of central regions, the intensity was lower and was estimated at approximately level three, which is usually perceived as a slight tremor without significant consequences.
Local authorities reported that, as of now, there have been no reports of casualties or widespread damage, nor have any disruptions to critical infrastructure been recorded. Experts continue to monitor seismic activity in the region, as Taiwan is located in an area of heightened tectonic activity where such events are common, although their intensity can vary significantly.
Additionally, Taiwan detected the presence of Chinese military ships near its territory in the Taiwan Strait and put its response forces on alert.
