Strong Quake Strikes Taiwan – March 4

Strong Earthquake Measuring up to 6.6Mw Strikes Taiwan

The quake struck about 250 km (155 miles) SSW of T’AI-PEI, Taiwan

The quake was in line with Fire Earth February 28 Earthquake Forecast for Taiwan. Large/larger quakes in the region are highly probable anytime.

[UPDATED @ 10:30UTC]
12 people have been injured in a fire triggered by the Taiwan earthquake, AP reported the National Fire Agency as saying.

Firemen battle a blaze at a textile factory that started shortly after a strong earthquake jolted the island, Thursday, March 4, 2010, in the southern area of Tainan, Taiwan. A powerful 6.4-magnitude earthquake rocked southern Taiwan on Thursday morning, causing widespread damage, and disrupting communications around the island. (AP Photo). Image may be subject to copyright. More AP photos.

The mainshock, which was felt throughout Taiwan, including in Taipei, some 250km to the north, and Kaohsiung (65km to the south), made  tall buildings  sway for about a minute. It was followed by at least two aftershocks the largest of which was a M4.8 event.

According to Taiwan’s CWB, the mainshock struck at a depth of 5km in a mountainous region 43km NE of Pingtung city (23.00N, 120.73E).

Power was cut off near the epicenter close to Jiashan Township, Kaohsiung, Taiwan’s Ministry of Interior and the National Fire Agency reported.

According to other reports,  a number of residents in southern Taiwan were trapped in elevators. There are also reports of several fires that broke out as a result of the quake. At least one injury of causes unknown was reported. Taiwan’s  Highspeed Railway was temporarily disrupted in several locations, Taiwanese media reported.

Tsunami Alert:

NO tsunami alert has been issued. The quake occurred far enough from the coast to pose a tsunami threat.

10-degree Map Centered at 25°N,120°E

EQ Location Map. Source: USGS/EHP. Image Edited and Enhanced by FEWW.

Earthquake Details

• Magnitude reported by USGS: 6.4   [Max magnitude estimated by Fire-Earth: 6.1Mw]
• Date-Time:
  • Thursday, March 04, 2010 at 00:18:52 UTC
  • Thursday, March 04, 2010 at 08:18:52 AM at epicenter
• Location: 22.903°N, 120.823°E
• Depth: 23.1 km (14.4 miles)
• Region: TAIWAN
• Distances:
  • 40 km (25 miles) WNW of T’ai-tung, Taiwan
  • 60 km (40 miles) ESE of T’ai-nan, Taiwan
  • 65 km (40 miles) ENE of Kao-hsiung, Taiwan
  • 250 km (155 miles) SSW of T’AI-PEI, Taiwan
• Location Uncertainty: horizontal +/- 4.6 km (2.9 miles); depth +/- 6.2 km (3.9 miles)
• Source: USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
• USGS Event ID: us2010tkab

A 7.6Mw quake which struck central Taiwan north of SinYi township (23.77N 120.98E) in 1999 killed an estimated 2,400 people.

• For Taiwan ShakeMap, Click Here
• More Technical Details, Click Here
• Population Exposure (USGS) HERE

Historic Taiwan Earthquakes – Map

Large Historic Earthquakes in and around Taiwan. Source: University of Hiroshima, Japan.

Historic Taiwan Earthquakes – Details

• 1906 03 16 – Chia-i, Taiwan – M 6.8 Fatalities 1,250
• 1910 04 12 – Taiwan region – M 7.6
• 1920 06 05 – Taiwan region – M 8.0 Fatalities 5
• 1935 04 20 – Taiwan (Formosa) – M 7.1 Fatalities 3,270
• 1935 07 16 – Taiwan (Formosa) – M 6.5 Fatalities 2,740
• 1959 04 26 – Taiwan region – M 7.5 Fatalities 2
• 1972 01 25 – Taiwain region – M 7.5 Fatalities 1
• 1972 01 25 – Taiwain region – M 7.0
• 1972 04 24 – Taiwain region – M 7.2 Fatalities 4
• 1998 05 03 – Southeast of Taiwan – M 7.5
• 1999 09 20 – Taiwan – M 7.6 Fatalities 2,400
• 2002 03 31 – Taiwan region – M 7.1 Fatalities 5
• 2002 05 15 – Taiwan – M 6.2 Fatalities 1
• 2003 12 10 – Taiwan – M 6.8
• 2004 10 15 – Taiwan region – M 6.7
• 2004 11 08 – Taiwan region – M 6.3
• 2006 12 26 – Taiwan region – M 7.1 Fatalities 2
• 2006 12 26 – Taiwan region – M 6.9
• 2007 09 06 – Taiwan region – M 6.2
• 2009 12 19 – Taiwan – M 6.4

Related Links:

• Taiwan Earthquake Warning

• FEWW Earthquake Links
• Volcanoes
• FEWW Volcano Links

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