Seismologist urges preparedness, not panic after quakes

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Kuo Kai-wen, the former head of the Seismological Center of the Central Weather Administration, stated on Tuesday (April 23), that aftershocks of magnitude 7 may be anticipated in reaction to around 200 recent earthquakes. Still, there is no need for excessive panic.

Kuo said that following a magnitude 7.3 earthquake in 1951, many aftershocks of magnitude 7.1 and higher reached Chihshang and Yuli in the south.

The former head clarified that recent earthquakes and aftershocks were normal phenomena. He noted that many earthquakes were centered near the strong quake on April 3. Subsequent aftershocks were mostly located north of the main quake of magnitude 7.2. Aftershocks of magnitude 5 and above began last night and started appearing on land and to the south.

Reminding the public that earthquakes cannot be foreseen, Kuo urged people not to become overly anxious, and emphasized the criticality to stay alert of seismic activities.