2016 Taiwan earthquake facts for kids
The 2016 Taiwan earthquake was a powerful earthquake that shook Taiwan on February 6, 2016. It caused a lot of damage and sadly, 116 people died. The earthquake's starting point, called the epicenter, was near Kaohsiung. However, the city of Tainan suffered the most destruction.
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What Happened During the Earthquake?
The earthquake happened very early in the morning, at 3:57 AM local time. This meant many people were asleep in their homes. The main shock had a magnitude of 6.4. This is considered a strong earthquake. After the main shock, there were many smaller earthquakes, called aftershocks. These aftershocks continued for some time.
Where Did the Earthquake Strike?
The earthquake's epicenter was about 28 kilometers (17 miles) northeast of Pingtung County. It was also about 48 kilometers (30 miles) southeast of Tainan. Even though the epicenter was near Kaohsiung, Tainan was much closer to where the ground shaking was strongest. This is why Tainan saw the most damage.
What Was the Impact?
The earthquake caused buildings to collapse, especially in Tainan. The most tragic event was the collapse of the Weiguan Golden Dragon building. This 17-story apartment building fell over, trapping many residents inside. Most of the 116 people who died in the earthquake were from this one building.
The earthquake also caused:
- Damage to roads and bridges.
- Disruptions to electricity and water supplies.
- Many people to lose their homes.
How Did People Help?
After the earthquake, a huge rescue effort began. Thousands of rescuers, including firefighters, soldiers, and volunteers, worked tirelessly. They used special equipment to search for survivors in the rubble. Many countries and organizations offered help and support to Taiwan during this difficult time. The government also worked quickly to provide shelter and aid to those affected.
Why Do Earthquakes Happen in Taiwan?
Taiwan is located in an area where several large pieces of the Earth's crust, called tectonic plates, meet. These plates are always moving. When they rub against each other, they can get stuck. Eventually, the built-up energy is released suddenly, causing an earthquake. This is why Taiwan experiences earthquakes quite often.
See also
In Spanish: Terremoto de Taiwán de 2016 para niños
