TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Aftershocks from the April 3 Hualien earthquake continue with the potential for magnitude 5 or greater tremors, the Central Weather Administration (CWA, 氣象署) warned on Thursday (Nov. 14). As Typhoon Usagi (天兔) approaches, the combination of earthquakes and heavy rain poses significant risks, especially in aftershock-prone and mountainous areas, the CWA reminded.
On Thursday, 10:38 a.m., a magnitude 5.4 earthquake struck near Hualien County Government, 9.8 kilometers south of the coast, at a depth of 30.5 kilometers. The strongest intensity recorded was magnitude 4 in areas like Yen Liao (鹽寮) and Jici (磯崎) in Hualien County.
Liao Che-wei (廖哲緯), director of the Seismological Center (地震測報中心), explained that this tremor is indeed an aftershock of the April 3 earthquake. The aftershock occurred at a deeper location than the main shock, resulting in a smaller impact on the surface, primarily affecting Hualien, he noted.
Liao also noted Taiwan's position at the intersection of tectonic plates, with the eastern region being particularly earthquake-prone. This recent aftershock occurred just 6 kilometers from the April 3 main shock, though at a different depth.
Since then, the region has experienced 1,746 felt aftershocks. The number of earthquakes in 2024 has increased compared to the past, but no abnormal phenomena have been observed, Liao added.
