TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — This year has seen a surge in earthquakes, with more than 35 quakes of magnitude 5.5 or above, marking the highest count in the past 14 years, per the Central Weather Bureau.
CWB Seismological Center Director Wu Chien-fu (吳健富) said the unusually high number of earthquakes exceeding magnitude 5.5 this year is primarily due to the larger aftershocks triggered by the April earthquake in Hualien, CNA reported. In comparison, the 1999 Chi-Chi Earthquake produced more aftershocks, but their magnitudes were smaller.
Wu explained that the differing seismic structures of the two earthquakes account for their distinct characteristics. The Chi-Chi Earthquake’s aftershocks persisted for two to three years but were generally smaller in magnitude.
Meanwhile, aftershocks from the April earthquake continue to occur, with some still exceeding magnitude 5. Continuous monitoring is needed to understand why.
The CWB also released data on the areas receiving the most national-level earthquake alerts in a year. Hualien County ranked first with 64 alerts, followed by Yilan with 23, and Changhua with nine.
National-level earthquake alerts are issued under two conditions: the estimated magnitude is 5 or above and the intensity reaches level 4 or higher in any city or county, or when the estimated magnitude is 6.5 or above and the intensity reaches level 3 or higher.