Shallow M6.1 AFTERSHOCK struck on Tuesday Night near Hualien City in Taiwan.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on April 22nd, 2024. Last updated May 20th, 2024.

Under land 13 kilometer from Hualien City in Taiwan, a shallow and strong MAG-6.1 aftershock occurred in the night of Tuesday April 23rd, 2024. Earthquakes like this can cause significant economic damage but are usually unlikely to result on large numbers of fatalities. Japan and China are also near its epicenter.

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Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Taiwan, 13 kilometer (8 mi) south-southwest of Hualien City in Hualien County. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 10 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	Apr 23, 2024 02:32 (Taipei Time) - Apr 22, 2024 18:32 Universal Time.
Location:	13 km SSW of Hualien City, Hualien County, Taiwan. Coordinates 23°51'44"N 121°33'44"E.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 6.1 Detected by 23 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.065 .
Depth:	10 km (6 mi) A very shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:	VIII Severe On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Tsunami very unlikely While this was a shallow earthquake in a coastal area, it appears to have occurred under land (3 km from the sea) with a magnitude that is usually not strong enough to cause tsunami's. Always stay cautious - More info here.

Significant economic impact

The US Geographic Survey (USGS) describes the impact of this earthquake as follows:

Two buildings destroyed at Hualien City and at least two homes destroyed in the Jian-Shoufeng area.

Based on scientific estimates by the USGS, the risk of high fatalities for this earthquake is classified at level GREEN (low). They expect an 65% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 fatalities, and a 96% chance that the number of fatalities falls no higher than 10.

The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level YELLOW (significant). They expect an 36% likelyhood of between 1 and 10 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact, and a 91% chance that the economic impact of this earthquake falls no higher than 100 million USD.

Roughly 24 million people exposed to shaking

An estimated 24 million have been exposed to shaking (An MMI or Modified Mercalli Intensity level II or higher) as a result of this earthquake according scientific estimates published by the USGS.

The highest earthquake impact level for this earthquake is VIII, which corresponds with severe shaking and likely moderate to heavy damage. Roughly 9,210 people are expected to be exposed to this level. The majority of people (roughly 23 million) live in an area exposed to level IV, where light shaking and likely no damage is expected.

People in 3 countries have been exposed to shaking. Roughly 23 million people were exposed to shaking in Taiwan , with level VIII (severe shaking, likely moderate to heavy damage) as the highest recorded. In Japan and China, a smaller number of people were exposed.

Nearby towns and cities

This earthquake struck within proximity of multiple countries. Taiwan , Japan and China are all within 300km distance of its epicenter.

Located 13 kilometer (8 mi) south-southwest of the epicenter of this earthquake, Hualien City (Hualien County, Taiwan) is the nearest significant population center. The intensity of shaking and damage in Hualien City is estimated to be around level VII on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (very strong shaking, likely moderate damage).

Multiple large cities are in proximity of today's earthquake. Taipei is located 132 km to the north and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Hualien City is located 13 km to the north-northeast and experienced an intensity of VII (very strong shaking, likely moderate damage). Xiamen is located 360 km to the west (intensity unknown, possibly low).

The table below provides an overview of all places in proximity of today's earthquake. Where available, the estimated intensity on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale in each place is included. Places where this information is omitted likely experienced little impact.

Overview of nearby places

Earthquake Intensity Map

The graph below overlays a map of the region around the epicenter with earthquake intensity data provided by the US Geographic Survey. The highest intensity level detected for this earthquake is VIII.

I Not felt

II Weak

III Weak

IV Light

V Moderate

VI Strong

VII Very Strong

VIII Severe

IX Violent

X Extreme

Shaking reported by 79 people in 2 countries

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 79 people have reported shaking in 24 places in 2 countries (Taiwan, China).We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

• Yungho, Taipei Hsien, Taiwan: 30 people.
• Taichung, Taichung Shih, Taiwan: 9 people.
• Sanchung, Taipei Hsien, Taiwan: 7 people.
• Hsichih, Taipei Hsien, Taiwan: 4 people.
• Hualian, Hualien, Taiwan: 3 people.
• Chupei, Hsinchu Hsien, Taiwan: 3 people.
• Chungho, Taipei Hsien, Taiwan: 3 people.
• Hsinchu, Hsinchu Shih, Taiwan: 2 people.
• Fengshan, Kaohsiung Hsien, Taiwan: 2 people.
• Tanshui, Taipei Hsien, Taiwan: 2 people.

This is likely an aftershock

Approximately 6 mins before this earthquake hit, a larger 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck 19 km (12 mi) south-southeast of this one. For that reason, we classify the Mag. 6.1 earthquake as an aftershock.

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

More earthquakes coming?

Aftershocks are usually at least 1 order of magnitude less strong than main shocks. The more time passes, the smaller the chance and likely strength of any potential aftershocks.

The chance that a significant earthquake like this one is followed by an even larger earthquake is not so large. On average, scientists estimate a 94% chance that a major earthquake will not be followed by an even larger one. It is still adviced to be aware of this risk

Earthquakes like this happen often in the region

Earthquakes of this strength are very common in the region. In total, 13 earthquakes with a magnitude of 6.1 or higher have been registered within 300km (186 mi) of this epicenter in the past 10 years. This comes down to an average of once every 9 months.

Tsunami very unlikely

While MAG-6.5+ earthquakes may cause tsunami's, it appears that the epicenter of this earthquake hit under land. In addition, the reported depth is deeper than 100km, making the risk of a tsunami even less likely. However always stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.

Tsunami Risk Factors

Sources

Last updated 20/05/24 01:58 (). This article contains currently available information about the earthquake and is automatically composed. We continue to update this article up to a few days after the earthquake occurred.

1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us6000mt0s
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20240422_0000248
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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