Very strong M6.6 earthquake hits southeastern Taiwan

A strong and shallow earthquake, registered by the USGS as M6.6, hit southeastern Taiwan at 13:41 UTC on September 17, 2022. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.6 at a depth of 2 km (1.2 miles).

The epicenter was located 76.9 km (47.8 miles) E of Yujing (population 16 597), 97.3 km (60.5 miles) NE of Donggang (population 48 100), 100.5 km (62.4 miles) ENE of Kaohsiung (population 1 519 711), and 101.1 km (62.8 miles) E of Tainan (population 771 235), Taiwan.

10 000 people are estimated to have felt severe shaking, 54 000 very strong, 158 000 strong and 6 172 000 moderate.

The USGS issued a Green alert for shaking-related fatalities. There is a low likelihood of casualties.

Yellow alert for economic losses. Some damage is possible and the impact should be relatively localized. Past events with this alert level have required a local or regional level response.

Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are a mix of vulnerable and earthquake resistant construction. The predominant vulnerable building types are unknown/miscellaneous types and heavy wood frame construction.

Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides that might have contributed to losses.

Local media initially reported no injuries or damage from the quake, but Taiwan’s Central news agency said the metro system in Kaoshiung city in the south of the island was temporarily suspended.

Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking

Selected cities exposed

Regional seismicity

Featured image credit: TW/SAM, Google