2022 Taitung earthquakes

Two earthquakes affected Taitung and Hualien Counties, Taiwan within hours of each other. The first earthquake struck Taitung on September 17, 2022, occurring with a magnitude of 6.5 Mw , causing minor damage and some injuries. The second earthquake occurred roughly a day after the first tremor struck the same area, with a stronger magnitude of 6.9 Mw . Both earthquakes had maximum Modified Mercalli intensities of VII (Very strong) and IX (Violent), respectively.[4][5]

2022 Taitung earthquakes
An excavator clearing building wreckage
2022 Taitung earthquakes is located in Taiwan
2022 Taitung earthquakes
UTC time2022-09-17 13:41:17
 2022-09-18 06:44:14
ISC event624819634
 624819865
USGS-ANSSComCat
 ComCat
Local dateSeptember 17, 2022 (2022-09-17)
 September 18, 2022 (2022-09-18)
Local time21:41:17 (UTC+8)
 14:44:15 (UTC+8)
Magnitude6.5 Mw
 6.9 Mw
Depth7.3 km (4.5 mi) (foreshock)[1]
7 km (4.3 mi) (mainshock)[2]
Epicenter23°09′18″N 121°21′40″E / 23.155°N 121.361°E / 23.155; 121.361
TypeOblique–slip
Areas affectedTaiwan Province (Changhua, Chiayi, Hualien, Nantou, Pingtung, Taitung and Yunlin Counties)
Max. intensity
Peak acceleration0.51 g[3]
Tsunami0.41 m (1.3 ft)
AftershocksSome. Strongest is 5.6 Mw
Casualties1 dead, 179 injured

Tectonic setting

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Taiwan lies on the boundary between the Eurasian plate and the Philippine Plate, which converge at 80 mm per year. The island is the result of uplift caused by the collision between the northern end of the Luzon Arc and the continental margin of mainland China.[6]

Earthquakes

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USGS Shakemap

The earthquakes were the result of shallow oblique-slip faulting. An analysis of both focal mechanisms suggest the earthquakes ruptured along a shallow WNW-dipping, SSW–NNE-striking sinistral fault or steep SSW–dipping, east-oriented oblique-dextral fault.[7][8] Prior to the mainshock event, seismologists in Taiwan said it was produced along an unknown fault that was likely unstudied.[9] The epicenter location suggest a fault located along the west side of the Huadong Valley, responsible for thrusting the Central Mountain Range. The earthquake was attributed to continental collision between the Philippine Sea and Eurasian plate.[10]

Foreshocks

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The largest foreshock occurred on 17 September, measuring 6.4 ML  by the Central Weather Bureau (CWB). It struck at a depth of 7.3 km (4.5 mi) and had a maximum CWB seismic intensity of 6+.[11] After the mainshock, the 17 September earthquake and 70 subsequent shocks recorded later were reassigned as "foreshocks".[12] The Earthquake Prediction Center of the CWB said that 73 foreshocks were recorded, which is a rare occurrence. Five foreshocks had magnitudes larger than 5.0.[13]

It was felt strongly at Quanzhou, Xiamen in Fujian Province and Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province.[14] The Hong Kong Observatory received 10 reports of people feeling shaking; an analysis indicated it was felt with a maximum Modified Mercalli intensity of III.[15]

Mainshock

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The United States Geological Survey reported that it had a moment magnitude of 6.9,[5] which was downgraded from an initial 7.2.[16] although the Japan Meteorological Agency reported that it had a magnitude (MJMA) of 7.3.[17] The Central Weather Bureau reported that it measured 6.8 on the Richter magnitude scale.[18] It is considered the largest onshore earthquake in Taitung county since 1973.[19]

Tsunami warnings

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The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami advisory with waves up to a meter high for Miyakojima and the Yaeyama Islands in Okinawa Prefecture. A tsunami threat was also issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.[20] A tsunami with heights of 0.41 m (1.3 ft) was observed.[21]

Aftershocks

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Time

(UTC)

Magnitude (Mw ) MMI Source
2022-09-17 13:41 6.5 VII [4]
2022-09-17 15:35 5.1 VI [22]
2022-09-17 15:45 5.5 VII [23]
2022-09-18 05:19 5.6 VII [24]
2022-09-18 06:32 5.2 II [25]
2022-09-18 06:44 6.9 IX [5]
2022-09-18 06:57 5.1 IV [26]
2022-09-18 08:46 5.2 II [27]
2022-09-18 09:39 5.5 VII [28]

Impact

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September 17

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A collapsed highway

The Kaohsiung Metro system was temporarily suspended due to the shaking, and objects fell from shelves in Taitung City, where an old house collapsed.[29][1] In Luye, part of the Baohua Bridge had been severely damaged.[30] A shopping mall in Kaohsiung City suffered cracks in floors and ceilings.[31] In Fuli, the wall of a house collapsed.[32] The Wan'an Brick Factory, a historical monument in Chishang, collapsed.[33] Eight people suffered minor injuries,[34][35] and a man in Minxiong had to be treated for injuries after suffering a heart attack during the earthquake.[36]

September 18

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Damaged house

Along Zhongshan Road in Yuli, Hualien, a three-storey building housing a 7-Eleven store collapsed, injuring four people, who were all rescued.[37][38] Part of the Dongli railway station was damaged and a train was derailed, and all 20 passengers were evacuated.[39] In Yuli, Hualien County, part of a highway collapsed, injuring three people.[40] Several other bridges were also damaged.[41] In Taoyuan, a sports center collapsed, injuring two people.[42] In Yuli, a cement factory collapsed, killing a 69-year old worker and injuring several others.[43][44] In total, there were 171 reported injuries, most of them in Hualien and Taitung Counties.[45][46]

In Yuli, 7,073 homes did not have power while blackouts were reported in Taipei, New Taipei, Tainan and Kaohsiung. According to the Ministry of Education, the earthquake damaged 594 schools, including 115 in Kaohsiung[47] 90 in Taipei.[48] The total incurred loss is at an estimated NT$4.61 million (US$147,310).[49]

Response

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In a speech made shortly after the second earthquake, President Tsai Ing-wen warned of large aftershocks and called for citizens to remain vigilant.[50] The Central Emergency Operation Center was placed on its highest alert level in response to aftershocks.[51] The Atomic Energy Council said that nuclear plants across the country were unaffected and in usual operation.[12] About 400 tourists were rescued after being stranded on Chike Mountain due to landslides.[51] The local government ordered the closure of schools in Yuli, Fuli and Zhuoxi townships. School and work were suspended in Guanshan, Luye, Chihshang, Haiduan and Yanping townships. Schools and workplaces had to be close after noon of 18 September in the villages of Wulu, Lidao, Xinwu, and Haiduan. In Changbin township, work could resume but schools were suspended.[49]

See also

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Notes

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Magnitude 6.4 earthquake rocks Taiwan". Focus Taiwan. 17 September 2022. Archived from the original on 17 September 2022. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  2. ^ "【不斷更新】台東池上規模6.8地震 1739富里再出現5.8達5強餘震" [(Continuously updated) Taitung Chishang magnitude 6.8 earthquake occurred in 1739 Fuli with 5.8 to 5 strong aftershocks]. tw.news.yahoo.com. 18 September 2022. Archived from the original on 2022-09-18. Retrieved 2022-09-23.
  3. ^ "中央氣象局地震測報中心 第111號有感地震報告" (in Chinese). 2022-09-19. Archived from the original on 2022-09-22. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  4. ^ a b "M 6.5 – 96 km E of Yujing, Taiwan". United States Geological Survey. Archived from the original on 2022-09-28. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  5. ^ a b c "M 6.9 – Taiwan". United States Geological Survey. Archived from the original on 2022-09-18. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  6. ^ Lin A.T.; Yao B.; Hsu S.-K.; Liu C.-S.; Huang S.-Y. (2009). "Tectonic features of the incipient arc-continent collision zone of Taiwan: Implications for seismicity". Tectonophysics. 479 (1–2): 28–42. Bibcode:2009Tectp.479...28L. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.503.1391. doi:10.1016/j.tecto.2008.11.004.
  7. ^ "TAIWAN 2022/09/18 06:44:14 UTC, Mw=6.9". GEOSCOPE Observatory. 18 September 2022. Archived from the original on 18 September 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  8. ^ "TAIWAN 2022/09/17 13:41:17 UTC, Mw=6.6". GEOSCOPE Observatory. 18 September 2022. Archived from the original on 17 September 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  9. ^ Huang Minhui, Fang (18 September 2022). "台東6.4強震! 學者:中央山脈斷層移動". CTS News and Info. Archived from the original on 18 September 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
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  14. ^ "台湾台东县发生6.5级地震 福建沿海多地震感强烈" [A 6.5-magnitude earthquake occurred in Taitung County, Taiwan, and many earthquakes were felt along the coast of Fujian.]. China News Service (in Chinese). 17 September 2022. Archived from the original on 18 September 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
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  16. ^ Picheta, Rob; Cheung, Eric. "Tsunami warnings issued after 6.9-magnitude earthquake hits Taiwan". CNN. Archived from the original on 2022-09-19. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
  17. ^ "令和4年9月18日15時44分頃の台湾付近の地震について" (in Japanese). Japan Meteorological Agency. 2022-09-19. Archived from the original on 2022-09-18. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
  18. ^ "第111號 9月18日14時44分 規模 6.8 臺東縣政府北方 42.7 公里 (位於臺東縣池上鄉)" (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 2022-12-10. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  19. ^ "Tremors to continue, but decrease after Sunday's quake: seismologist". Focus Taiwan. Archived from the original on 2022-09-20. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  20. ^ "台湾6.8级地震:美日发布海啸预警" [Taiwan earthquake of magnitude 6.8: US and Japan issue tsunami warning]. Lianhe Zaobao. 18 September 2022. Archived from the original on 18 September 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  21. ^ "M 6.9 in China on 18 Sep 2022 06:44 UTC". Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System.
  22. ^ "M 5.1 – 79 km E of Yujing, Taiwan". United States Geological Survey. 17 September 2022. Archived from the original on 20 September 2022. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  23. ^ "M 5.5 – 79 km ESE of Yujing, Taiwan". United States Geological Survey. 17 September 2022. Archived from the original on 17 September 2022. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  24. ^ "M 5.6 – Taiwan". United States Geological Survey. 18 September 2022. Archived from the original on 18 September 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  25. ^ "M 5.2 – 87 km E of Yujing, Taiwan". United States Geological Survey. Archived from the original on 2022-09-18. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  26. ^ "M 5.1 – 79 km E of Yujing, Taiwan". United States Geological Survey. Archived from the original on 2022-09-18. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  27. ^ "M 5.2 – 86 km E of Yujing, Taiwan". United States Geological Survey. Archived from the original on 2022-09-18. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  28. ^ "M 5.5 – 82 km SE of Lugu, Taiwan". United States Geological Survey. Archived from the original on 2022-09-18. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  29. ^ Ruoci, Wu (17 September 2022). "台東關山規模6.4強震 近80年日式建築倒塌" (in Chinese). Yahoo News. Archived from the original on 18 September 2022. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  30. ^ 張祈 (2022-09-18). "台東強震 日治時期敷島移民村80多年老屋震毀". 中央社. Archived from the original on 2022-09-17.
  31. ^ "台東強震 高雄夢時代8樓伸縮縫龜裂 承億酒店24樓泳池變海波浪 – 生活". Liberty Times Net (in Chinese). 17 September 2022. Archived from the original on 17 September 2022. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
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  33. ^ Xinyu, Luo (18 September 2022). "【台東強震】19年後再被震垮!池上萬安磚窯廠倒塌 磚頭落滿地慘況曝". Mirror Media. Archived from the original on 20 September 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  34. ^ "台東強震花蓮8人傷 花東八鄉鎮停班課". Lianhe Zaobao (in Chinese). 18 September 2022. Archived from the original on 18 September 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
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  37. ^ "【更新】花蓮玉里樓層倒塌!4人救出 送醫治療" (in Chinese). Yahoo News. 18 September 2022.
  38. ^ Chenglin, You (18 September 2022). "不斷更新/花蓮玉里驚大樓倒塌!4人受困已救出1人" [Constantly updated / Hualien Yuli was shocked by the collapse of the building! 4 people trapped, 1 rescued]. SET News (in Chinese). Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  39. ^ Sihui, Wang (18 September 2022). "影/台東池上6.8強震 花蓮列車疑似出軌傾倒、傷亡未知" [Shadow / Taitung Chishang 6.8 Strong Earthquake Hualien Train Suspected Derailment Dumped, Casualties Unknown]. United Daily News (in Chinese). Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  40. ^ "花蓮高寮大橋斷裂「空拍畫面曝光」 3人跌落平安獲救". HiNet Times (in Chinese). 18 September 2022.[permanent dead link]
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  42. ^ "瀑布般塌落 運動場天花震冧擊傷2人". hk.on.cc (in Chinese). Oriental Press Group Limited. 18 September 2022.
  43. ^ Wei-Ning Yu. "台東強震首例死亡災情 花蓮玉里水泥廠工人遭壓重傷不治" (in Chinese). Yahoo News. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  44. ^ Jinyi, Wang (18 September 2022). "918強震》花蓮玉里水泥廠工人遭壓 送醫搶救不治". Liberty Times Net (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 18 September 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  45. ^ "台媒:台湾花莲6.9级地震已造成1死171伤". Sina Online (in Chinese). 21 September 2022.
  46. ^ "The Taitung 6.8 earthquake caused a large number of disasters in Huadong. So far, 1 death and 83 injuries have been caused in Taiwan". Oriental Daily News (in Chinese). 18 September 2022.
  47. ^ "532 Taiwan schools report damage from magnitude 6.8 earthquake". Taiwan News. 20 September 2022. Retrieved 2023-04-22.
  48. ^ "918強震》教育部最新統計 594校災損估1億2728萬". 20 September 2022. Archived from the original on 2022-09-22. Retrieved 2022-09-20.
  49. ^ a b Lo, James (18 September 2022). "Series of earthquakes in Taiwan leave 1 dead, 79 injured". Focus Taiwan. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  50. ^ Yuanhong, Zhang (18 September 2022). "台東規模6.8強震!蔡英文:中央災防中心已一級開設". CTS News and Info (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 18 September 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  51. ^ a b Hsien-feng, Li; Lo, James (18 September 2022). "Tsai calls on public to stay vigilant of aftershocks in wake of quake". Focus Taiwan. Archived from the original on 18 September 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2022.

Further reading

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