Quake research in Taiwan highlights Hualien’s vulnerability

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Hualien County, known as Taiwan's most earthquake-prone area, sits at the collision point of the Philippine Sea and Eurasian Plates, which move towards each other by 7 to 8 cm a year.

The region has faced severe seismic events in recent years, including the devastating earthquakes in 2018, 2022, and a 7.2 magnitude quake on April 3, all causing significant damage.

Since the major quake on April 3, over 750 aftershocks have been felt, raising alarms among the local population.

Lee Jian-cheng, a researcher at the Institute of Earth Sciences, Academia Sinica, says the plate convergence over a century amounts to about 8 meters. This necessitates energy release within Taiwan, making Hualien especially vulnerable at the plate's edge.

The area experiences many earthquakes each year, highlighting it as a key point for energy release, thereby weakening the crust over time. Taiwan's most active seismic zone stretches from the east to the sea, reaching depths of more than 200 kilometers.

Tseng Tai-lin, an associate professor at the Department of Geosciences, National Taiwan University, warns that significant quakes could trigger activity in nearby faults.

Professor Wen Yi-ying from National Chung Cheng University's Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences points out that earthquakes of magnitude 7 or greater are expected every 60 to 100 years, marking a period of energy release.

In light of Hualien's susceptibility to frequent earthquakes, emphasis is placed on structural reinforcement and disaster recovery planning to mitigate future damage.