Taiwan struck by 5.9 magnitude earthquake Tuesday evening, USGS says

1 day ago 1

Officials study Taiwan has been struck by a 5.9 magnitude earthquake

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Taiwan was struck by a 5.9 magnitude earthquake Tuesday evening, the United States Geological Survey reported.

The earthquake was detected astir 71 kilometers (44.1 miles) southbound of Hualien City astatine a extent of 31.1 kilometers (19.3 miles), the bureau said.

Hualien is comparatively thinly populated compared to the highly congested occidental broadside of the land of 23 cardinal people, which is often struck by quakes.

The quake deed seconds aft compartment telephone alarms went disconnected astatine 7:01 p.m. Buildings successful the superior of Taipei shook for astir a minute. There were nary contiguous reports of large damage.

Taiwan's Central Weather Administration gave the magnitude arsenic 6.4. Such variations are communal fixed differences successful sensitivity and detector locations.

Taiwan lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a enactment of seismic faults encircling the Pacific Ocean from Chile to New Zealand wherever astir of the world’s earthquakes occur.

Taiwan’s worst modern quake, a 1999 magnitude 7.7 temblor that killed 2,415 people, damaged buildings and led to tightened gathering codes, amended effect times and coordination and wide nationalist acquisition campaigns connected earthquake safety. Schools and workplaces clasp earthquake drills, portion cellphones buzz whenever a beardown earthquake is detected.

Earthquake harm since past has been importantly reduced.