TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Earthquake expert Kuo Kai-wen (郭鎧紋) sought Thursday (Sept. 11) to calm public fears following Wednesday's 7:58 a.m. tremor that rattled Emei Township (峨眉鄉) in Hsinchu County, northern Taiwan. The veteran seismologist assured local residents that the affected area does not sit on an active seismic belt and emphasized there is no immediate cause for alarm among communities. Kuo's reassuring comments come as residents across the region grapple with persistent earthquake anxiety following the recent seismic activity that disrupted morning routines.
The expert recalled during his China Times interview a dramatic seismic episode when 10 earthquakes struck Emei Township within nine hours on Feb. 4, 2022, creating unprecedented local concern. The earthquake cluster's timing during Lunar New Year, Taiwan's most important holiday celebrating family reunions, intensified public anxiety and disrupted traditional celebrations across the mountainous region. Kuo noted that these tremors occurred in the geological zone between Emei Township and Shijing Village (石井村), positioned directly above the active Chutung Fault (竹東斷層) system.
Kuo attributed the recurring seismic activity to a fracture zone within Houchi Mountain (後脊山), explaining that these specific geological conditions make earthquake clusters predictable and unsurprising in this mountainous terrain. The experienced seismologist advised local residents to maintain constant vigilance while prioritizing comprehensive personal and family safety protocols during ongoing seismic episodes that affect the region. He characterized earthquake clusters as typically comprising minor tremors, noting that Emei's strongest recorded quake reached only magnitude 3.9 and emphasizing that even magnitude 5 events represent relatively small seismic occurrences.
Kuo addressed widespread concerns about potential magnitude six or greater earthquakes, acknowledging that current seismic data makes definitive conclusions premature while not dismissing future possibilities entirely. The veteran expert emphasized that immediate seismic predictions remain unnecessary and potentially counterproductive for effective public safety planning in the affected mountainous areas. He urged residents to concentrate on practical earthquake preparedness and comprehensive safety measures rather than worrying about unpredictable future seismic events that may never materialize. ◼
