A shallow and significant M5.3 aftershock struck in the Philippine Sea 25 kilometer from Hualien City, Taiwan in the early morning of Tuesday April 23rd, 2024. Another nearby country is Japan.
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Earthquake Summary
This earthquake hit under water in the Philippine Sea, right off the coast of Taiwan (3 mi offshore), 25 kilometer south of Hualien City in Hualien County. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 12 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.
Date and Time: | Apr 23, 2024 05:19 (Taipei Time) - Apr 22, 2024 21:19 Universal Time. |
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Location: | 25 km south of Hualien City, Hualien County, Taiwan. Coordinates 23°45'13"N 121°35'28"E. |
Map: | Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps. |
Magnitude: | MAG 5.3 Detected by 19 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.071 . |
Depth: | 12 km (8 mi) A very shallow depth. |
Tsunami Risk: | Low tsunami risk Earthquakes under MAG-6.5 do not usually cause tsunami's. Always stay cautious - More info here. |
Nearby towns and cities
This earthquake struck within proximity of multiple countries. Taiwan and Japan are both within 300km distance of its epicenter.
The closest significant population center near the earthquake is Hualien City in Hualien County, Taiwan. Hualien City is located 25 kilometer (16 mi) south of the epicenter.
Multiple major population centers exist within 300km of the earthquake that struck today. Taipei is located 144 km to the north. Hualien City is located 25 km to the north. Taichung is located 102 km to the west-northwest.
The table below provides an overview of all places in proximity of today's earthquake.
Overview of nearby places
Distance | Place |
---|---|
25 km (16 mi) N from epicenter |
Hualien City Hualien County, Taiwan. |
67 km (42 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Puli Nantou County, Taiwan. |
85 km (53 mi) W from epicenter |
Lugu Nantou County, Taiwan. |
95 km (59 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Zhongxing New Village Nantou County, Taiwan. |
96 km (60 mi) W from epicenter |
Nantou Nantou County, Taiwan. |
102 km (63 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Taichung Taichung City, Taiwan. |
106 km (66 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Yuanlin Changhua County, Taiwan. |
107 km (66 mi) W from epicenter |
Douliu Yunlin County, Taiwan. |
113 km (70 mi) N from epicenter |
Yilan Yilan County, Taiwan. |
129 km (80 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Daxi Taoyuan City , Taiwan. |
133 km (83 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Hsinchu Hsinchu County, Taiwan. |
135 km (84 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Yujing Tainan City, Taiwan. |
141 km (88 mi) N from epicenter |
Banqiao New Taipei City, Taiwan. |
141 km (88 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Taoyuan City Taoyuan City , Taiwan. |
144 km (89 mi) N from epicenter |
Taipei Taipei City, Taiwan. |
154 km (96 mi) N from epicenter |
Keelung Keelung, Taiwan. |
164 km (102 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Tainan Tainan City, Taiwan. |
182 km (113 mi) SW from epicenter |
Kaohsiung Kaohsiung, Taiwan. |
185 km (115 mi) SW from epicenter |
Donggang Pingtung County, Taiwan. |
205 km (127 mi) W from epicenter |
Magong Penghu County , Taiwan. |
213 km (132 mi) SSW from epicenter |
Hengchun Pingtung County, Taiwan. |
269 km (167 mi) ENE from epicenter |
Ishigaki Okinawa, Japan. |
This is likely an aftershock
Approximately 3 hrs before this earthquake hit, a larger 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck 6 km (4 mi) east-southeast of this one. For that reason, we classify the Mag. 5.3 earthquake as an aftershock.
Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks
Classification | Magnitude | When | Where |
---|---|---|---|
Foreshock | M 4.4 |
3 days earlier Apr 20, 2024 08:35 (Taipei Time) | 60 km (37 mi) NNE from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 5.1 |
2 days earlier Apr 21, 2024 10:40 (Taipei Time) | 30 km (19 mi) S from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 4.5 |
2 days earlier Apr 21, 2024 11:07 (Taipei Time) | 44 km (27 mi) NNE from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 4.3 |
1 day earlier Apr 21, 2024 17:54 (Taipei Time) | 31 km (19 mi) NNE from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 4.7 |
1 day earlier Apr 22, 2024 00:35 (Taipei Time) | 49 km (30 mi) N from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 4.3 |
24 hrs earlier Apr 22, 2024 02:53 (Taipei Time) | 21 km (13 mi) N from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 4.1 |
18 hrs earlier Apr 22, 2024 08:01 (Taipei Time) | 66 km (41 mi) NNE from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 4.3 |
18 hrs earlier Apr 22, 2024 08:03 (Taipei Time) | 66 km (41 mi) NNE from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 5.3 |
9 hrs earlier Apr 22, 2024 17:08 (Taipei Time) | 4 km (2.5 mi) SW from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 5.1 |
9 hrs earlier Apr 22, 2024 17:12 (Taipei Time) | 10 km (6 mi) NW from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 5.2 |
9 hrs earlier Apr 22, 2024 17:16 (Taipei Time) | 40 km (25 mi) WNW from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 4.9 |
9 hrs earlier Apr 22, 2024 17:52 (Taipei Time) | 1.1 km (0.7 mi) SW from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 4.6 |
8 hrs earlier Apr 22, 2024 18:08 (Taipei Time) | 9 km (5 mi) W from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 5.2 |
8 hrs earlier Apr 22, 2024 18:46 (Taipei Time) | 5 km (3 mi) WSW from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 5.6 |
8 hrs earlier Apr 22, 2024 18:50 (Taipei Time) | 1.4 km (0.9 mi) SW from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 4.4 |
8 hrs earlier Apr 22, 2024 18:55 (Taipei Time) | 14 km (9 mi) WNW from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 4.9 |
7 hrs earlier Apr 22, 2024 19:10 (Taipei Time) | 7 km (4 mi) WSW from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 5.1 |
7 hrs earlier Apr 22, 2024 19:13 (Taipei Time) | 6 km (4 mi) WNW from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 4.3 |
7 hrs earlier Apr 22, 2024 19:22 (Taipei Time) | 11 km (7 mi) W from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 5.0 |
7 hrs earlier Apr 22, 2024 19:25 (Taipei Time) | 14 km (9 mi) SSW from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 4.9 |
7 hrs earlier Apr 22, 2024 19:34 (Taipei Time) | 14 km (8 mi) WNW from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 4.2 |
7 hrs earlier Apr 22, 2024 19:36 (Taipei Time) | 13 km (8 mi) W from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 5.1 |
7 hrs earlier Apr 22, 2024 19:45 (Taipei Time) | 10 km (6 mi) SW from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 4.3 |
7 hrs earlier Apr 22, 2024 19:47 (Taipei Time) | 11 km (7 mi) WNW from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 4.5 |
5 hrs earlier Apr 22, 2024 21:00 (Taipei Time) | 7 km (5 mi) SW from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 4.6 |
5 hrs earlier Apr 22, 2024 21:02 (Taipei Time) | 13 km (8 mi) W from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 5.1 |
5 hrs earlier Apr 22, 2024 21:13 (Taipei Time) | 12 km (8 mi) SW from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 4.5 |
5 hrs earlier Apr 22, 2024 21:42 (Taipei Time) | 7 km (4 mi) NNW from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 5.8 |
4 hrs earlier Apr 22, 2024 22:11 (Taipei Time) | 6 km (4 mi) W from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 4.3 |
4 hrs earlier Apr 22, 2024 22:12 (Taipei Time) | 14 km (9 mi) W from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 4.3 |
4 hrs earlier Apr 22, 2024 22:13 (Taipei Time) | 12 km (7 mi) WNW from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 5.0 |
4 hrs earlier Apr 22, 2024 22:20 (Taipei Time) | 2.5 km (1.6 mi) WSW from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 4.2 |
4 hrs earlier Apr 22, 2024 22:27 (Taipei Time) | 15 km (9 mi) W from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 4.2 |
3 hrs earlier Apr 22, 2024 23:14 (Taipei Time) | 16 km (10 mi) NW from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 4.3 |
3 hrs earlier Apr 22, 2024 23:45 (Taipei Time) | 53 km (33 mi) N from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 4.4 |
3 hrs earlier Apr 22, 2024 23:56 (Taipei Time) | 10 km (6 mi) W from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 4.4 |
2 hrs earlier Apr 23, 2024 00:01 (Taipei Time) | 7 km (4 mi) WNW from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 4.6 |
2 hrs earlier Apr 23, 2024 00:01 (Taipei Time) | 2.5 km (1.6 mi) SSE from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 4.5 |
2 hrs earlier Apr 23, 2024 00:06 (Taipei Time) | 7 km (4 mi) W from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 4.1 |
2 hrs earlier Apr 23, 2024 00:33 (Taipei Time) | 8 km (5 mi) N from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 4.0 |
2 hrs earlier Apr 23, 2024 00:45 (Taipei Time) | 5 km (3 mi) N from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 4.3 |
2 hrs earlier Apr 23, 2024 00:48 (Taipei Time) | 53 km (33 mi) N from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 4.0 |
2 hrs earlier Apr 23, 2024 00:49 (Taipei Time) | 22 km (14 mi) WNW from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 4.5 |
46 mins earlier Apr 23, 2024 01:40 (Taipei Time) | 8 km (5 mi) W from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 4.0 |
15 mins earlier Apr 23, 2024 02:12 (Taipei Time) | 13 km (8 mi) NW from Main Shock. |
Main Shock | M 6.1 |
Apr 23, 2024 02:26 (Taipei Time) | - |
Aftershock | M 6.0 |
6 mins later Apr 23, 2024 02:32 (Taipei Time) | 19 km (12 mi) NW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.1 |
30 mins later Apr 23, 2024 02:56 (Taipei Time) | 14 km (9 mi) NW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.2 |
33 mins later Apr 23, 2024 03:00 (Taipei Time) | 14 km (9 mi) NNW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.6 |
47 mins later Apr 23, 2024 03:13 (Taipei Time) | 13 km (8 mi) NNW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.1 |
50 mins later Apr 23, 2024 03:17 (Taipei Time) | 7 km (5 mi) WNW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 5.0 |
53 mins later Apr 23, 2024 03:19 (Taipei Time) | 9 km (5 mi) NE from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.2 |
57 mins later Apr 23, 2024 03:24 (Taipei Time) | 21 km (13 mi) NNW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.9 |
1 hr later Apr 23, 2024 03:28 (Taipei Time) | 15 km (9 mi) W from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.9 |
1 hr later Apr 23, 2024 03:34 (Taipei Time) | 16 km (10 mi) WNW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.3 |
2 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 03:57 (Taipei Time) | 13 km (8 mi) NNW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 5.2 |
2 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 04:03 (Taipei Time) | 9 km (5 mi) NE from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.4 |
2 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 04:07 (Taipei Time) | 22 km (13 mi) NNW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.0 |
2 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 04:10 (Taipei Time) | 11 km (7 mi) WNW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 5.5 |
2 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 04:49 (Taipei Time) | 9 km (5 mi) SSW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.2 |
3 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 05:01 (Taipei Time) | 11 km (7 mi) W from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 5.4 |
3 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 05:04 (Taipei Time) | 7 km (5 mi) WSW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.2 |
3 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 05:08 (Taipei Time) | 13 km (8 mi) W from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.9 |
3 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 05:11 (Taipei Time) | 9 km (5 mi) W from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.1 |
3 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 05:13 (Taipei Time) | 12 km (7 mi) WNW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.8 |
3 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 05:14 (Taipei Time) | 9 km (5 mi) W from Main Shock. |
Aftershock This Earthquake |
M 5.3 |
3 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 05:19 (Taipei Time) | 6 km (4 mi) WNW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 5.2 |
3 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 05:24 (Taipei Time) | 7 km (4 mi) W from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.1 |
3 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 05:26 (Taipei Time) | 11 km (7 mi) W from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 5.4 |
3 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 05:31 (Taipei Time) | 9 km (6 mi) N from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.2 |
3 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 05:46 (Taipei Time) | 13 km (8 mi) NW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.0 |
4 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 06:26 (Taipei Time) | 21 km (13 mi) WNW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.5 |
5 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 07:02 (Taipei Time) | 9 km (6 mi) W from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.1 |
5 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 07:17 (Taipei Time) | 22 km (14 mi) NNW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.3 |
5 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 07:35 (Taipei Time) | 11 km (7 mi) NNW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.3 |
5 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 07:38 (Taipei Time) | 22 km (14 mi) NNW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.5 |
6 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 08:03 (Taipei Time) | 2.8 km (1.7 mi) S from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 5.8 |
6 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 08:04 (Taipei Time) | 10 km (6 mi) NNE from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.3 |
6 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 08:06 (Taipei Time) | 13 km (8 mi) NW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 5.2 |
6 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 08:11 (Taipei Time) | 20 km (12 mi) NNW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.4 |
6 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 08:55 (Taipei Time) | 19 km (12 mi) NW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.5 |
7 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 09:19 (Taipei Time) | 11 km (7 mi) NNW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.7 |
7 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 09:22 (Taipei Time) | 15 km (9 mi) NNW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.9 |
7 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 09:45 (Taipei Time) | 8 km (5 mi) NW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 5.2 |
8 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 10:21 (Taipei Time) | 11 km (7 mi) N from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.8 |
8 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 10:23 (Taipei Time) | 19 km (12 mi) NNW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.5 |
8 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 10:27 (Taipei Time) | 17 km (10 mi) NNW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.0 |
9 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 11:44 (Taipei Time) | 12 km (7 mi) NW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.7 |
11 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 13:08 (Taipei Time) | 2.5 km (1.6 mi) SW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.0 |
11 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 13:24 (Taipei Time) | 17 km (11 mi) NNW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.1 |
16 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 18:22 (Taipei Time) | 24 km (15 mi) NNW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.0 |
16 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 18:31 (Taipei Time) | 21 km (13 mi) NNW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.6 |
17 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 19:13 (Taipei Time) | 18 km (11 mi) N from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.4 |
18 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 20:40 (Taipei Time) | 2.9 km (1.8 mi) SE from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.1 |
19 hrs later Apr 23, 2024 21:29 (Taipei Time) | 23 km (14 mi) N from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.9 |
22 hrs later Apr 24, 2024 00:02 (Taipei Time) | 39 km (24 mi) N from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.0 |
23 hrs later Apr 24, 2024 01:12 (Taipei Time) | 7 km (4 mi) WNW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.1 |
1 day later Apr 24, 2024 09:46 (Taipei Time) | 24 km (15 mi) NNE from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.4 |
1 day later Apr 24, 2024 09:53 (Taipei Time) | 25 km (15 mi) NNE from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.3 |
1 day later Apr 24, 2024 11:28 (Taipei Time) | 4 km (2.2 mi) SSE from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.4 |
1 day later Apr 24, 2024 13:01 (Taipei Time) | 64 km (40 mi) NNE from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.9 |
2 days later Apr 24, 2024 15:30 (Taipei Time) | 4 km (2.4 mi) NNW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.3 |
2 days later Apr 24, 2024 15:51 (Taipei Time) | 11 km (7 mi) NNW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.0 |
2 days later Apr 24, 2024 16:31 (Taipei Time) | 64 km (40 mi) NNE from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.3 |
2 days later Apr 24, 2024 17:23 (Taipei Time) | 22 km (14 mi) N from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.0 |
2 days later Apr 24, 2024 21:37 (Taipei Time) | 10 km (6 mi) NW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.6 |
2 days later Apr 25, 2024 00:59 (Taipei Time) | 74 km (46 mi) ENE from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 5.1 |
2 days later Apr 25, 2024 02:11 (Taipei Time) | 72 km (45 mi) ENE from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.3 |
2 days later Apr 25, 2024 03:19 (Taipei Time) | 83 km (51 mi) NE from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.0 |
2 days later Apr 25, 2024 07:53 (Taipei Time) | 20 km (12 mi) N from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.0 |
2 days later Apr 25, 2024 08:11 (Taipei Time) | 7 km (4 mi) WSW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.7 |
2 days later Apr 25, 2024 08:19 (Taipei Time) | 6 km (4 mi) SSE from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.7 |
2 days later Apr 25, 2024 09:23 (Taipei Time) | 10 km (6 mi) N from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.0 |
2 days later Apr 25, 2024 09:43 (Taipei Time) | 6 km (4 mi) SW from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.2 |
3 days later Apr 25, 2024 22:17 (Taipei Time) | 55 km (34 mi) N from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 4.2 |
3 days later Apr 26, 2024 00:20 (Taipei Time) | 51 km (32 mi) N from Main Shock. |
More earthquakes coming?
The risk of aftershocks decreases rapidly over time. Usually, aftershocks are at least one order of magnitude lower than a main shock.
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
Read: How to Stay Safe during an Earthquake (cdc.gov).Earthquakes like this happen often in the region
Earthquakes of this strength are very common in the region. In total, 95 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.3 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 month.
Low tsunami risk
Based on early data it appears this earthquake was not strong enough (lower than MAG-6.5) to be likely to cause destructive tsunami's. However this earthquake appeared to have hit at a shallow depth under sea, so stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.
Tsunami Risk Factors
Factor | Under Sea? | MAG-6.5 or stronger? | Shallow depth? |
---|---|---|---|
Explanation | Almost all tsunami's are caused by earthquakes with their epicenter under sea or very near the sea. However stay cautious in coastal areas as earthquakes on land may cause landslides into sea, potentially still causing a local tsunami. | Under MAG 6.5: Very unlikely to cause a tsunami. MAG 6.5 to 7.5: Destructive tsunami's do occur, but are uncommon. Likely to observe small sea level changes. MAG 7.6+: Earthquakes with these magnitudes might produce destructive tsunami's. |
Most destructive tsunami's are caused by shallow earthquakes with a depth between 0 and 100km under the surface of the earth. Deeper tsunami's are unlikely to displace to ocean floor. |
This Earthquake | This earthquake appears to have struck under the sea. | Not this earthquake. This earthquake had a magnitude of 5.3. Earthquakes of this strength are unlikely to trigger a tsunami. |
This earthquake occurred at a depth of of 12 km (8 mi). Earthquakes this shallow could trigger a tsunami. |
Sources
Last updated 03/05/24 22:18 (). As more information on this earthquake becomes available this article will be updated. This article is automatically composed based on data originating from multiple sources.