TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Taiwan's eastern waters Saturday (Dec. 27) at 11:05 p.m., triggering emergency alerts across all 22 administrative regions and registering intensity 4 shaking in 18 counties and cities, according to the Central Weather Administration (中央氣象署, CWA), Taiwan's national meteorological agency. Authorities have not yet released information about casualties or structural damage.
The epicenter was located 32.3 kilometers (20.1 miles) east of Yilan County Government (宜蘭縣政府) at a depth of 72.8 kilometers (45.2 miles) beneath the ocean floor, the CWA reported in its Significant Earthquake Report No. 156. The exact timing of infrastructure disruptions was not immediately available from government agencies. The quake's offshore location raised concerns about potential tsunami risks, though authorities did not immediately issue warnings.
The Public Warning System (災防告警系統, PWS), Taiwan's emergency alert network, activated disaster prevention alerts across the entire island. Northern regions including Taipei, New Taipei City and Keelung received warnings alongside southern areas including Kaohsiung, Tainan and Pingtung. Offshore islands including Penghu, Kinmen and Lienchiang County, also known as Matsu, also received alerts.
Yilan County experienced the most widespread shaking, with nine monitoring stations recording intensity 4 tremors. Affected areas included Suao (蘇澳), Toucheng (頭城), Yilan City (宜蘭市), Dongshan (冬山), Neicheng (內城), Nanao (南澳), Niudou (牛鬥), Datong (大同) and Nanshan (南山). Guishan Island (龜山島) recorded intensity 3 shaking.
Kaohsiung City and Pingtung County in southern Taiwan recorded intensity 3 shaking. The offshore islands of Lienchiang County, also known as Matsu, and Penghu County experienced intensity 2 tremors. Kinmen County, located near mainland China, registered the lowest intensity at level 1.
The CWA cautioned its automated earthquake alert system may contain inaccuracies due to time-sensitive reporting requirements immediately following seismic events. The agency stated the preliminary information should be used for emergency response reference only, with more detailed analysis to follow. Seismologists have not yet issued predictions about potential aftershocks, their expected magnitude, or the duration of elevated seismic risk.
The CWA did not disclose whether tsunami warnings were issued despite the earthquake's offshore epicenter location in Taiwan's eastern waters. Details about power outages, water service disruptions, telecommunications failures or transportation shutdowns were not immediately available from utility companies or government agencies. Taiwan Power Company (台灣電力公司), water utilities, telecommunications providers and transportation authorities have not yet released infrastructure damage assessments or service disruption reports. ◼
>>> NATURAL DISASTER ADVISORY: During earthquakes, floods, or military emergencies, follow official evacuation orders and seek appropriate shelter immediately. Earthquakes: Drop, cover, and hold on; avoid elevators and check for structural damage before re-entering buildings. Floods: Move to higher ground; do not walk or drive through floodwater (15cm/6 inches can knock you down). Military emergencies: Seek designated air raid shelters; monitor official government channels only. Keep emergency supplies ready: three days of water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, a radio, a first aid kit, and important documents. Emergency contacts: General emergencies 119/1999 | Maritime emergencies 118 | Police or disaster reporting 110/119.
OFFICIAL RESOURCES:
• Taiwan Emergency Management: https://www.nfa.gov.tw/
• CWA Earthquake Info: https://www.cwa.gov.tw/V8/E/E/index.html
