Taipei: Strong earthquake tremors were felt in Taiwan on Friday. The intensity of the earthquake was measured 6.3 on the Richter scale. According to the Meteorological Department, the earthquake occurred 34 km away from Taiwan’s eastern city of Hualien. There is no report of damage from the earthquake at present. According to the Meteorological Department, earthquake tremors have been felt in Taiwan for the second time in 24 hours. On Thursday (August 15), an earthquake of 5.4 magnitude occurred in northeastern Taiwan. Buildings shook in Taipei due to the earthquake tremor.
Let us tell you that on April 3, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake occurred in Hualien, Taiwan, in which about 14 people died. Its epicenter was 34 kilometers below the earth. After this, an earthquake again occurred in Taiwan on April 22.
Taiwan is a sensitive zone
Taiwan is a sensitive zone in terms of earthquake and earthquake tremors are often felt here. Taiwan falls in the Circum-Pacific Seismic Zone, which can also be understood as it is located close to two tectonic plates. In such a situation, earthquakes are a common occurrence here. A report was released by the Central Weather Bureau. In this report, it was told that from 1900 to 1991, about 2200 earthquakes occurred in the country every year and 214 of these were dangerous. From 1991 to 2004, 18,649 earthquakes occurred. The year 1999 saw the most number of earthquakes and the earth shook 49,919 times. Taiwan has witnessed 96 deadly earthquakes since 1900.
A devastating earthquake occurred in 1999
The most horrific earthquake in recent years in Taiwan occurred on 21 September 1999, whose magnitude was 7.7. In this, 2400 people died and about one lakh people were injured. Thousands of buildings were destroyed and there was heavy damage. In 2016 also, a major earthquake struck Taiwan in which more than 100 people died.
This is how the category is determined
It is also important to know here that earthquakes are placed in different categories in terms of intensity. Earthquakes with a magnitude of 2.5 to 5.4 are in the minor category. Earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.5 to 6 are considered mildly dangerous earthquakes, there is a possibility of minor damage in it. If an earthquake of 6 to 7 magnitude occurs, then the possibility of damage also increases. Earthquakes of 7 to 7.9 are considered dangerous. An earthquake of this intensity can cause cracks in buildings or their collapse. All earthquakes with an intensity above this are placed in the extremely dangerous category.
Why do earthquakes occur?
The earth is located on tectonic plates. There is liquid lava beneath it. These plates keep floating continuously and sometimes collide with each other. Due to repeated collisions, the corners of the plates sometimes get bent and due to excessive pressure, these plates start breaking. In such a situation, the energy coming out from below finds a way to come out and after this disturbance an earthquake occurs.
