TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck off Taiwan's eastern coast at about 1 p.m. Wednesday, with shaking reaching intensity level 2 in five counties, according to the Central Weather Administration.
The epicenter was located in waters 136 km east of Hualien County Hall at a depth of 13.3 km. The strongest shaking, measured at an intensity level 2 on a seven-tier scale, was recorded in Hualien, Yilan, Chiayi, Changhua, and Yunlin counties. Intensity level 1 shaking was reported across the rest of Taiwan.
CWA Seismological Center Director Wu Chien-fu (吳健富) said the quake was caused by plate collision and subduction. He urged residents to remain alert for possible aftershocks over the next three to five days, per Nownews.
The Japan Meteorological Agency also detected the quake. It reported that a magnitude 6.0 quake occurred near Yonaguni Island, at a depth of 10 km.
