2024 Hualien earthquake facts for kids
Rescue workers near the semi-collapsed ten-story Uranus building on Xuanyuan Road
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 Location in Taiwan
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| UTC time | 2024-04-02 23:58:11 |
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| ISC event | 637103828 |
| USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
| Local date | 3 April 2024 |
| Local time | 07:58:11 |
| Magnitude | ML 7.2 Mw 7.4 MJMA 7.7 |
| Depth | 34.8 km (22 mi) |
| Epicenter | 23°49′08″N 121°33′43″E / 23.819°N 121.562°E near Hualien City, Hualien County, Taiwan |
| Type | Reverse |
| Areas affected | Taiwan |
| Max. intensity | CWA 6+ VIII (Severe) |
| Tsunami | 82 cm (2.69 ft) |
| Landslides | Yes |
| Aftershocks | Mw6.4, Mww5.7 |
| Casualties | 10 dead, 1,067 injured, 38 missing, 660 trapped |
On 3 April 2024, a powerful earthquake hit near Hualien City, Hualien County, Taiwan. It happened at 7:58 AM local time. The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.4.
This was the strongest earthquake in Taiwan since the 1999 Jiji earthquake. Sadly, at least 10 people died, and over 1,000 people were hurt. Many smaller earthquakes, called aftershocks, followed the main quake. Some of these aftershocks were stronger than magnitude 5.0.
Contents
Why Earthquakes Happen in Taiwan
Taiwan often has strong earthquakes. This is because the island sits on a complex area where two huge pieces of the Earth's crust, called Philippine Sea Plate and Eurasian Plate, are pushing against each other.
These plates move about 7.5 centimeters (3 inches) every year. South of Taiwan, one plate slides under the other. This creates a chain of volcanoes and islands. In Taiwan itself, the plates are colliding, causing the land to push up. North of Taiwan, the Philippine Sea Plate slides under the Eurasian Plate.
The Main Earthquake and Aftershocks
Taiwan's weather agency measured the earthquake at a magnitude of 7.2. After the main quake, more than 300 smaller quakes, called aftershocks, were recorded. Some of the stronger aftershocks included one with a magnitude of 6.4 and two others with a magnitude of 5.7.
The main earthquake was the strongest to hit Taiwan since the 1999 Jiji earthquake, which was a magnitude 7.7.
People in Hualien City felt the shaking very strongly. In Taipei, the capital, it was also felt strongly. Shaking was felt across most of Taiwan. People in parts of China, Hong Kong, and even Yonaguni, Japan, also felt the earthquake.
Scientists say the earthquake happened about 34.8 kilometers (21.6 miles) deep. It was caused by a type of break in the Earth's crust where rocks push up against each other. The ground moved about 1.2 meters (4 feet) in some places. This earthquake was similar in size to a 1986 earthquake in Hualien that killed 15 people.
Tsunami Warnings and Waves
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The earthquake caused a tsunami, which is a series of very large ocean waves. A wave of 0.5 meters (1.6 feet) was seen in Chenggong, Taitung. A larger wave, 82 centimeters (2.7 feet) high, was recorded in Wushi Harbor. Taiwan's weather agency told people to move to higher ground for safety.
China's Ministry of Natural Resources also issued a high-level tsunami alert. They warned that local waves could cause damage in coastal areas.
In the Philippines, people in some coastal provinces were told to evacuate. They were warned about possible high tsunami waves, though the expected height was later lowered. The tsunami threat eventually passed, and warnings were canceled.
Japan also issued a tsunami warning for Okinawa Prefecture, expecting waves up to 3 meters (10 feet). This warning was later lowered. A 30-centimeter (1 foot) wave was observed on Yonaguni island about 15 minutes after the earthquake. This was the first tsunami warning in Okinawa since 2011. Flights were stopped in some areas, and people at airports moved to higher floors.
People Affected and Injuries
Sadly, ten people died because of the earthquake. At least 1,067 people were injured, and 660 others were stuck in various places. Thirty-eight people were reported missing. Most of the deaths happened in Hualien County.
Some people died in Taroko National Park from falling rocks. One person died when a truck was crushed by rocks on the Suhua Highway. Another person was hit by a falling boulder in a parking lot. A worker in a mine also died from falling rocks. In Hualien, a woman died after going back into her building to get her cat and was trapped by a falling column during an aftershock.
Damage to Buildings and Roads
Taiwan's earthquake alert system did not send a warning before the main quake.
Many people were trapped in Taroko National Park, including some visitors. Injuries were reported in several cities across Taiwan, often from falls or objects falling over. Many people were trapped in tunnels and rock quarries.
The earthquake damaged at least 125 buildings and 35 roads across the country. Seventeen buildings collapsed in Hualien, and others collapsed in different cities. In Hualien City, the nine-story Uranus building and a restaurant collapsed, trapping many people. One person died in the Uranus building, but 22 others were rescued. A high school building in Hualien was also badly damaged.
In Taipei, 249 people were injured, and 10 houses were severely damaged. A warehouse collapsed in New Taipei City, injuring three people. Tiles fell off older buildings in the capital. The Legislative Yuan building had damaged walls and ceilings. In Xindian District, seven houses collapsed, and people had to leave their homes. Parts of the Taipei Metro and New Taipei Circular Line were briefly stopped for safety checks. A ceiling also fell at Taoyuan International Airport.
The earthquake caused power outages for over 370,000 homes in Taiwan. Most of the power was restored within a few hours. Water shortages and internet problems were also reported. Many cell phone towers were damaged. Train services and major highways in eastern Taiwan were closed. Taiwan's nuclear power plants were not affected.
Twenty-four landslides happened after the earthquake. The Suhua Highway was closed because of falling rocks. Other highways and railway lines were also blocked by rockfalls. A large part of Guishan Island collapsed into the sea. Six F-16 fighter jets at a base in Hualien were slightly damaged. The Education Ministry reported that 380 schools were damaged, mostly in Hualien and Pingtung.
Train services in parts of eastern China were also temporarily stopped due to the earthquake.
Help from Other Countries
China offered to help Taiwan with disaster relief. Taiwan thanked them but said they did not need help.
Japan sent military aircraft to check for damage in Okinawa after the tsunami warning. Japan's Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, sent his sympathy to Taiwan and offered support. The United States also said it was ready to help. At least 47 countries and the European Union sent their support and offered help to Taiwan.
See also
In Spanish: Terremoto de Taiwán de 2024 para niños
- List of earthquakes in 2024
- List of earthquakes in Taiwan
