2024 Hualien earthquake

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Silence of Lambs (talk | contribs) at 11:46, 3 April 2024 (→‎Response). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

2024 Taiwan earthquake
Damage after the earthquake
2024 Hualien earthquake is located in Taiwan
2024 Hualien earthquake
UTC time2024-04-02 23:58:11
USGS-ANSSComCat
Local date3 April 2024
Local time07:58:11
Magnitude7.4 Mw
Depth34.8 km (22 mi)
Epicenter23°49′08″N 121°33′43″E / 23.819°N 121.562°E / 23.819; 121.562
near Hualien City, Hualien County, Taiwan Province, Republic of China
TypeReverse
Areas affectedTaiwan
Max. intensityCWA 6+

MMI VIII (Severe)
LandslidesYes
AftershocksMw 6.4, Mww 5.7
Casualties9 dead, 931+ injuries

On 3 April 2024, at 07:58:11 NST (23:58 UTC), a Mw 7.4 earthquake struck 18 km (11 mi)[1] south-southwest of Hualien City, Hualien County, Taiwan Province[a], Republic of China. It was the largest earthquake in Taiwan since the 1999 Jiji earthquake, and there have been several aftershocks above Mw 5.0.

Tectonic setting

Taiwan has a history of many strong earthquakes.[2] The island is located within a complex zone of convergence between the Philippine Sea Plate and Eurasian Plate. At the location of the earthquake, these plates converge at a rate of 75 millimetres (3.0 in) per year. To the south of Taiwan, oceanic crust of the Eurasian Plate is subducting beneath the Philippine Sea Plate creating an island arc, the Luzon Arc. At Taiwan the oceanic crust has all been subducted and the arc is colliding with continental crust of the Eurasian Plate. To the north of Taiwan the Philippine Sea Plate is in contrast subducting beneath the Eurasian Plate, forming the Ryukyu Arc.[3]

Earthquake

USGS ShakeMap

The earthquake had a maximum CWB seismic intensity of 6+ in Hualien City and 5 in Taipei.[4] At least 44 aftershocks were recorded following the earthquake.[5] A Mw 6.4 aftershock struck at 00:11 UTC,[6] followed by a Mw 5.7 event at 00:35,[7] a Mw 5.5 at 00:43[8] and a Mw 5.7 at 00:46.[9] The mainshock was the strongest earthquake to hit Taiwan since the 1999 Jiji earthquake, which measured Mw 7.7.[10] In China, shaking was felt in Shanghai, Suzhou, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shantou, and several cities in Fujian province. It was also felt in Hong Kong[11][12][13] and on the island of Yonaguni, Japan, where it measured Shindo 4 on the Japan Meteorological Agency seismic intensity scale.[14]

The earthquake had a focal mechanism corresponding to reverse-faulting at a 34.8 km (21.6 mi) depth. According to the United States Geological Survey, the rupture occurred on a northeast–southwest-striking, moderately dipping, reverse fault within the Eurasian Plate. The estimated rupture dimensions for a similarly sized reverse-faulting earthquake is 60 km (37 mi) by 35 km (22 mi). Its finite fault model indicated rupture on an east-southeast dipping plane. Slip occurred within an elliptical rupture area 60 km (37 mi) by 60 km (37 mi) on the plane. The maximum displacement was estimated at 1.2471 m (4 ft 1.10 in).[15] The shock's magnitude was identical to a 1986 earthquake that killed 15 people in Hualien.[16]

Tsunami

A 0.5 m (1 ft 8 in) tsunami was observed in Chenggong, Taitung. The Central Weather Administration of Taiwan issued an alert advising residents to evacuate to higher ground.[17]

The Ministry of Natural Resources of the People's Republic of China issued a second-highest level orange tsunami alert, warning of potential localized waves that could cause significant damage in affected coastal areas.[18] The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning for Okinawa Prefecture and as waves of 3 m (9.8 ft) were expected,[19] which was later downgraded to a "tsunami advisory."[20] A 30 cm (12 in) wave was observed at Yonaguni about 15 minutes after the earthquake. Waves were also expected along the Miyako and Yaeyama islands,[21] with 20 cm (7.9 in)-waves reaching the islands of Miyako and Ishigaki.[22] The tsunami warning was the first to be issued in Okinawa Prefecture since the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami,[23] while the tsunami was the first to strike the area since 1998.[17] Due to this, flights in Okinawa and Kagoshima Prefectures were suspended, including Naha Airport and Miyako Airport which were evacuated to the third floors.[24][25][26] China's Tsunami Warning Centre, which is under the Ministry of Natural Resources, issued its highest alert level at level 1, or red.[12]

In the Philippines, evacuations were ordered by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in the provinces of Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela and Ilocos Norte following a warning by PHIVOLCS. An advisory was issued to 23 provinces for "high tsunami waves" measuring 3 m (9.8 ft), which was later reduced to 30 cm (12 in).[27][11][28][29] At 10:03 a.m. (PST), the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said "the tsunami threat has now largely passed," prompting PHIVOLCS to cancel the tsunami warning.[30]

Impact

Nine fatalities were reported,[31][32] while at least 934 people were injured[33] and 127 others were trapped, according to the National Fire Agency, which also recorded at least 1,067 earthquake-related incidents.[34] Among the dead were three killed by rockfalls while hiking with four more people[35] in Hualien's Taroko National Park.[29] The status of the four other people are unknown. Another person died when rockfalls occurred at the Daquingshui Tunnel along the Suhua Highway and crushed his truck.[13][36] One person also died after their car was hit by a falling boulder, while another fatality was reported inside a mine.[37] Twelve park visitors, including two Canadian nationals were trapped along a trail,[17] while 40 others were injured. Injuries were also reported across Hualien, Yilan, Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung, Taichung and Taoyuan due to falls or toppled objects.[12][36] Sixty people were trapped inside the 400-meter Jinwen Tunnel along the Suhua Highway.[17]

At least 125 buildings were damaged by the earthquake.[12] Of the 26 reported building collapses, more than half of these occurred in Hualien. Collapses trapped at least 20 people in the immediate aftermath.[38] In Hualien City, two houses, the nine-story Uranus building and a restaurant collapsed, trapping many people inside.[39][40] Twenty-two people were later rescued from the Uranus building.[17] A high school building in the city also sustained heavy damage.[41] A warehouse building also collapsed in New Taipei, causing three minor injuries.[42] Fifty people were subsequently rescued from the building.[37] Tiles were dislodged and fell off older buildings and some newer structures in Taipei.[21] Subsidence in Xindian District caused seven houses to collapse, forcing 12 people to evacuate.[43] A viaduct of the New Taipei Circular Line was reported to be misaligned, and all service on the Taipei Metro was briefly suspended for safety checks.[44] A portion of the ceiling in Taoyuan International Airport collapsed.[12] The Legislative Yuan building also sustained damage to its walls and ceilings,[29] while debris fell from the archway of Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall.[14] In Taichung, rockfalls blocked a road, damaging three cars and injuring a driver.[45]

Power outages affected 300,000 homes in Taiwan according to Taipower,[46] of which, 14,833 were in Taichung; 5,306 were restored within approximately 25 minutes of the earthquake.[47] Electricity was restored in 70% of households within two hours of the earthquake,[46] leaving around 91,000 homes without power.[17] Outages of water, gas and internet were also reported.[48][49] There were reports of damaged walls, debris and toppled bricks across much of the island.[12] High-speed railway services across Taiwan were partially suspended and major expressways in the eastern part of the island were closed.[14] No anomalies were recorded in any of Taiwan's three nuclear plants.[50]

A massive landslide occurred near Xiulin.[51] The Suhua Highway was closed after at least nine rockfalls occurred on the road. Rockfalls occurred on another highway which hit at least 12 cars and injured nine people.[52] A landslide along Provincial Highway 9 between Su'ao and Hualien blocked traffic at Chongde railway station, while a rockfall also occurred in the Heren-Chongde section of the Eastern Trunk line in Hualien.[46] A section of the Central Cross-Island Highway between Dayuling and Taroko was also closed.[36] Two German nationals were reported to have been trapped in a tunnel in Hualien.[17] Guishan Island suffered damage, with a large portion of the island collapsing into the ocean.[53]

Taiwan's earthquake alert system did not send an advanced alert of the mainshock unlike in previous instances.[34]

Response

Outgoing Republic of China president Tsai Ing-wen expressed concern about the damage and ordered the Republic of China Armed Forces to support the local government in Hualien and others parts of the island in rescue missions. Vice-president and president-elect Lai Ching-te called on the public to be careful and stay calm and announced the formation of an emergency centre to deal with the disaster.[12]

Several semiconductor firms, including Powerchip, InnoLux, UMC, King Yuan Electronics Company [zh], Taimide Tech, and TSMC temporarily suspended operations and evacuated their facilities in Hsinchu. TSMC said it expected losses of about $60 million from the earthquake.[12][54][55] The Taiwan Stock Exchange continued regular operations on 3 April despite the earthquake.[29]

The Taiwan Affairs Office of the People's Republic of China (PRC) said it was highly concerned with the earthquake and was willing to provide disaster relief assistance.[56]

Japan deployed military aircraft to observe possible damage in Okinawa Prefecture following the tsunami alert.[29] The Japanese government later announced that no damage had occurred.[21] Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed condolences and sympathy with Taiwan and offered the government's support.[57] Guatemala and Paraguay also expressed solidarity with Taiwan and offered support.[58]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Nominal province as its government functions were removed since 2018.

References

  1. ^ "M 7.4 - 18 km SSW of Hualien City, Taiwan". Earthquake Hazards Program. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  2. ^ Hume, Tim (7 February 2018). "More than 50 people could be trapped inside this building". VICE News. Archived from the original on 7 February 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  3. ^ Molli G.; Malavieille J. (2010). "Orogenic processes and the Corsica/Apennines geodynamic evolution: insights from Taiwan". International Journal of Earth Sciences. 100 (5): 1207–1224. doi:10.1007/s00531-010-0598-y. S2CID 129517282.
  4. ^ "快訊／花蓮7.2地震！整棟大樓「整根拔起」倒塌 驚悚畫面曝光" (in Chinese). TVBS. 3 April 2024. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  5. ^ "Taiwan earthquake island's strongest in 25 years: CWA". Focus Taiwan. 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  6. ^ National Earthquake Information Center (3 April 2024). "M 6.4 - 11 km NE of Hualien City, Taiwan". United States Geological Survey. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  7. ^ National Earthquake Information Center (3 April 2024). "M 5.7 - 23 km NNE of Hualien City, Taiwan". United States Geological Survey. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  8. ^ National Earthquake Information Center (3 April 2024). "M 5.5 - 2 km SSW of Hualien City, Taiwan". United States Geological Survey. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  9. ^ National Earthquake Information Center (3 April 2024). "M 5.7 - 23 km NE of Hualien City, Taiwan". United States Geological Survey. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  10. ^ "Tsunami warnings issued after strong earthquake off east coast of Taiwan". CNN. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  11. ^ a b "Strong quake rocks Taiwan, tsunami warnings issued". Reuters. 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h Chung, Lawrence; Liang, Xinlu (3 April 2024). "Taiwan toll rises to 7 dead, 736 injured after 7.3 magnitude earthquake rocks island and sparks tsunami warnings". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  13. ^ a b "Four dead, dozens injured in most powerful Taiwan quake in 25 years". France 24. 3 April 2024. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  14. ^ a b c "M7.7 quake in Taiwan kills 1, injures more than 50". Kyodo News. 3 April 2024. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  15. ^ National Earthquake Information Center (3 April 2024). "M 7.4 - 18 km SSW of Hualien City, Taiwan". United States Geological Survey. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  16. ^ "M 7.4 - 8 km SSW of Hualien City, Taiwan". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g Chang, Wayne; Regan, Helen (3 April 2024). "Taiwan searches for dozens trapped by strongest quake in 25 years as casualties mount". CNN. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  18. ^ Zhang Yi; Li Menghan (3 April 2024). "Mainland offers aid to Taiwan after powerful earthquake". China Daily. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  19. ^ "Tsunami warning issued for Okinawa after strong quake hits near Taiwan". The Japan Times. 3 April 2024. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  20. ^ "Live: Taiwan hit by magnitude-7.5 earthquake, collapsing buildings". ABC News. 3 April 2024. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  21. ^ a b c "A strong earthquake rocks Taiwan, collapsing buildings and causing a tsunami". Associated Press. CNBC. 3 April 2024. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  22. ^ "Tsunami reaches areas of Okinawa, advisory in effect". NHK. 3 April 2024. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  23. ^ "Tsunami advisory lifted for areas of Okinawa". NHK. 3 April 2024. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  24. ^ "People in Okinawa evacuate from coast after quake, tsunami warning". NHK. 3 April 2024. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  25. ^ "Japan's Naha Airport on Okinawa has diverted all flights". CNN. 3 April 2024. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  26. ^ "Flights to and from Japan's Okinawa and Kagoshima regions suspended, Japan Airlines says". CNN. 3 April 2024. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  27. ^ "Philippines warns of tsunami, orders evacuation of coastal areas after Taiwan quake". Agence France-Presse. New Straits Times. 3 April 2024. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  28. ^ "Philippines warns of tsunami, orders evacuations after Taiwan quake". ABS-CBN News. 3 April 2024. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  29. ^ a b c d e Bodeen, Christopher (3 April 2024). "Taiwan's strongest earthquake in nearly 25 years damages buildings, leaving 7 dead". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  30. ^ "Philippines cancels tsunami warning after Taiwan quake". ABS-CBN News. 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  31. ^ "Nine dead, over 800 injured after 7.4-magnitude earthquake rocks Taiwan". The Straits Times. 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  32. ^ Ahmad, Reged (3 April 2024). "Taiwan earthquake live updates: evacuations and tsunami warning in Japan; buildings collapsed in Taiwan". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  33. ^ "花蓮地震規模7.2已造成9死934傷 建物傾倒28件 將公告花蓮為災區". Yahoo! News Taiwan. 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  34. ^ a b "Taiwan hit by strong quake as tsunami threat recedes in Japan, Philippines". Al Jazeera. 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  35. ^ Hale, Kate Mayberry,Erin. "Taiwan hit by strongest quake since 1999, at least 9 dead, hundreds injured". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 3 April 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  36. ^ a b c "Hualien earthquake leaves 4 dead, 57 injured". Focus Taiwan. 3 April 2024. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  37. ^ a b "Seven dead, hundreds injured in most powerful Taiwan quake in 25 years". France 24. 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  38. ^ Blanchard, Ben; Lee, Yimou (3 April 2024). "Taiwan hit by strongest quake in 25 years, four deaths reported". Reuters. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  39. ^ "0403花蓮地震 本報記者現場直擊 9層大樓傾倒 地下室3人受困" (in Chinese). United Daily News. 3 April 2024. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  40. ^ "大地震！花蓮2棟民宅倒塌「屋內人數不明」 當地警消搶救中" (in Chinese). Yahoo! Kimo. 3 April 2024. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  41. ^ "花蓮7.2大地震！花蓮女中校舍驚傳塌陷 鋼筋外露「現場畫面」曝" (in Chinese). Yahoo! Kimo. 3 April 2024. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  42. ^ "0403花蓮大地震 中和倉庫倒塌！ 3人受傷1人待援" (in Chinese). United Daily News. 3 April 2024. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  43. ^ "0403大地震／新店安泰路傳7棟房屋下陷 疏散12人" (in Chinese). United Daily News. 3 April 2024. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  44. ^ "花蓮強震》新北捷運環狀線疑歪斜 乘客疏散畫面曝光". Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  45. ^ "花蓮7.2大地震！中橫便道落石猛砸釀1傷 11人受困明隧道待救" (in Chinese). China Times. 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  46. ^ a b c "Major earthquake shakes Taiwan, causing landslides, partial building collapse". Focus Taiwan. 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  47. ^ "影／0403大地震 台中9千多戶停電 山城住戶：嚇到腿軟" (in Chinese). United Daily News. 3 April 2024. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  48. ^ "Taiwan quake leaves one dead, at least 50 injured". NHK. 3 April 2024. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  49. ^ "Four dead as strongest earthquake in 25 years hits Taiwan". BBC. 3 April 2024. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  50. ^ "Third nuclear power plant not affected by massive earthquake". Focus Taiwan. 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  51. ^ "快訊／7.2地震花蓮崇德山崩 石塊高處掉落塵土飛揚恐怖畫面曝" (in Chinese). Yahoo! Kimo. 3 April 2024. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  52. ^ "9 injured on Taiwan highway as earthquake causes landslides and rockfalls". CNN. 3 April 2024. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  53. ^ "台湾7.2可怕强震 宜兰外海惊见龟山岛「龟头断裂」" (in Chinese (China)). 2 April 2024. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  54. ^ "TSMC Evacuates Production Lines After Major Taiwan Quake". Bloomberg.com. 3 April 2024. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  55. ^ "Strong quake leads to halts in production at TSMC, other tech firms". Focus Taiwan. 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  56. ^ "China's Taiwan affairs office offers disaster relief assistance". The Jerusalem Post. 3 April 2024. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  57. ^ "Message of condolences from Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio following the earthquake in eastern Taiwan". Prime Minister's Office of Japan. 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  58. ^ "Multiple countries offer support for Taiwan after Hualien earthquake". Focus Taiwan. 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2024 Hualien earthquake.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2024_Hualien_earthquake&oldid=1217029088"