6.4-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Southern Taiwan

The fire department reported that two individuals sustained injuries in a damaged building in Tainan city.

Representational Image | On Tuesday, Taiwan's south experienced a 6.4 magnitude earthquake near Chiayi, shaking buildings in Taipei and causing minor damage.

Source : freepik AI

A mountainous area of Taiwan's south near the city of Chiayi on Tuesday (local time) was hit by a 6.4 magnitude earthquake, according to the island's weather administration.

As per the report by Reuters, the administration further confirmed that the quake shook buildings in the capital, Taipei, with reports of initial minor damage. It added that the earthquake had a depth of 9.4 km (6 miles) with its epicentre in Dapu township.

The fire department reported that two individuals sustained injuries in a damaged building in Tainan city. Situated near the intersection of two tectonic plates, Taiwan frequently experiences earthquakes.  

In 2016, over 100 lives were lost in an earthquake in southern Taiwan, while a 7.3 magnitude quake in 1999 claimed more than 2,000 lives.

Earthquake Of 6.6 Magnitude strikes Japan's Kyushu

Similarly, a strong earthquake struck the Kyushu region in Japan on Monday (January 13), the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre said. The 6.6 magnitude earthquake, located at a depth of 37 km (23 miles), triggered the country’s meteorological agency to issue a tsunami advisory.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said that the earthquake quake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.9 struck the Kyushu region at 9:19 pm on Monday. After an investigation, the JMA said the quake did not warrant special measures related to seismic activity in the Nankai Trough, according to Reuters.

 

The meteorological agency has also warned of possible waves up to one metre for the southern prefectures of Miyazaki and Kochi. A 20-centimetre tsunami was later recorded reaching Miyazaki city.

 

The Nankai Trough, where the Philippine Sea Plate is slipping under the Eurasia Plate at the bottom of the sea off the southwest coast of Japan, produces massive earthquakes about every 100-150 years. Strong quakes nearby are seen as a potential indication that a megaquake could be more likely.