2006 Hengchun earthquake facts for kids
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| UTC time | ?? |
|---|---|
| Magnitude | 7.1 Mw |
| Depth | 10 kilometres (6 mi) |
| Epicenter | 21°50′N 120°32′E / 21.83°N 120.54°E |
| Areas affected | Physical: Taiwan Communications: Various countries in East and Southeast Asia |
| Casualties | 2 dead; 42 injured |
The 2006 Hengchun earthquake was a powerful earthquake that happened on Tuesday, December 26, 2006. It struck at 12:25 UTC (8:25 PM local time) near Taiwan. The earthquake's epicenter (the point on the surface directly above where it started) was about 22.8 kilometers (14 miles) west-southwest of Hengchun, a town in Pingtung County, Taiwan. The hypocenter (the actual starting point underground) was 21.9 kilometers (13.6 miles) deep in the Luzon Strait.
This earthquake caused damage, injured people, and sadly, led to two deaths. It also caused big problems for phone and internet services in parts of Asia. This happened because the quake broke several important undersea cables that carry data and calls.
The date of this earthquake was quite unusual. It happened exactly two years after the massive 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. That quake caused terrible damage and a huge tsunami across Southeast and South Asia. The Hengchun earthquake also occurred exactly three years after the 2003 earthquake that almost destroyed the city of Bam in southern Iran.
Contents
How Strong Was the Earthquake?
The strength of the 2006 Hengchun earthquake was measured by different groups. Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau reported it as 7.0 on the Richter scale. The United States Geological Survey estimated its strength at 7.1. Both the Hong Kong Observatory and the Japan Meteorological Agency said it was 7.2. Taiwan's Central News Agency reported that this was the strongest earthquake to hit Hengchun in 100 years.
Did the Earthquake Cause a Tsunami?
Tsunami Warning in Taiwan
This earthquake was the first time Taiwan detected a tsunami caused by an earthquake near its coast. The water level changed by only 25 centimeters (about 10 inches). This small change did not cause any damage.
Warnings from Other Countries
Other countries also issued tsunami warnings. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported that the earthquake caused a 1-meter (3.3 feet) tsunami. They said it was moving towards the east coast of the Philippines. The Hong Kong Observatory also reported a tsunami. However, they said it was unlikely to affect Hong Kong.
Related pages
Images for kids
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Main tectonic boundaries onshore and offshore Taiwan
