2018 Hualien earthquake facts for kids
The Yun Men Tsui Ti building, severely tilted after the quake
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| UTC time | 2018-02-06 15:50:43 |
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| ISC event | 611835929 |
| USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
| Local date | 6 February 2018 |
| Local time | 23:50:42 local time |
| Magnitude | 6.4 Mww |
| Depth | 10.6 kilometres (7 mi) |
| Epicenter | 24°07′55″N 121°39′32″E / 24.132°N 121.659°E |
| Type | Oblique-slip |
| Areas affected | Hualien County, Taiwan |
| Max. intensity | VIII (severe) |
| Peak acceleration | 482.36 gal (0.42 g) |
| Peak velocity | 32.04 cm/s |
| Foreshocks | yes |
| Casualties | 17 dead, 285 injured |
The Hualien earthquake was a strong earthquake that shook the coast of Taiwan in early 2018. It happened on February 6, 2018, late at night, around 11:50 PM local time. The earthquake's center was in the East China Sea, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) off the coast of Hualien County. This powerful quake measured about 6.4 on the Richter scale, causing a lot of damage and affecting many people. Sadly, 17 people lost their lives, and about 285 others were injured.
Contents
What Caused the Hualien Earthquake?
Earthquakes happen when the Earth's large plates, called tectonic plates, move and rub against each other. The Hualien earthquake was caused by a type of movement called an "oblique-slip" fault. This means the ground moved both horizontally (sideways) and vertically (up and down) at the same time. The earthquake's energy was released about 10.6 kilometers (6.6 miles) deep inside the Earth.
How Strong Was the Shaking?
The strength of an earthquake is measured in different ways. The Hualien earthquake had a magnitude of 6.4. This number tells us how much energy was released. The shaking intensity, which describes how much the ground moved and how people felt it, was rated as "severe" (Level VIII) on the Mercalli intensity scale. This level of shaking can cause significant damage to buildings.
Impact and Damage
The earthquake caused a lot of damage, especially in Hualien City. Many buildings were damaged, and some even collapsed or tilted dangerously. One of the most affected buildings was the Yun Men Tsui Ti building, which tilted severely and became unsafe.
Casualties and Injuries
The earthquake led to a tragic loss of life, with 17 people dying. Many others, around 285 people, were injured. Rescue teams worked hard to help people trapped in damaged buildings.
Foreshocks and Aftershocks
Before the main earthquake, there were smaller earthquakes called "foreshocks." These are like warning signs that a bigger quake might be coming. After the main earthquake, there were also many smaller quakes called "aftershocks." These aftershocks can continue for days or even weeks after the main event, causing more damage and fear.
Rescue Efforts
After the earthquake, emergency services and the military quickly responded to help the affected areas. Soldiers and rescue workers were sent to Hualien to search for survivors and provide aid. They worked tirelessly to clear rubble, rescue people from collapsed buildings, and help those who were injured.
Images for kids
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President Tsai Ing-wen (center) inspects a collapsed building and addresses the press in Hualien City.
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Maps of 2018 Hualian fore-, main, and aftershocks: on the right, the location of M>4.5 foreshocks and the mainshock (red star); on the left, M>4.5 aftershocks (as of 18:00 UTC 9 February) and the mainshock. Both maps are from USGS earthquake catalog results.
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See also
In Spanish: Terremoto de Taiwán de 2018 para niños
