Recent Earthquake Series Highlights Taiwan's Seismic Vulnerability
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A 5.6 magnitude earthquake recently shook buildings in Taiwan, part of a series of temblors that have hit the island. This event occurred on Thursday morning and caused some shaking of buildings but resulted in little damage. The earthquake is one of several that have struck the region recently, contributing to a sense of ongoing seismic activity.In addition to the 5.6 magnitude quake, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck southern Taiwan on January 21, 2025, at 12:17 a.m. This earthquake caused some minor injuries and reported damage but did not result in significant casualties. Earlier, on April 3, 2024, a 7.4 magnitude earthquake near Hualien City caused nine deaths and over 1,000 injuries, highlighting the island's vulnerability to significant seismic events.Taiwan is located in a region prone to earthquakes due to its position on the boundary of the Eurasian and Philippine Sea plates. The island has experienced numerous earthquakes, with records of about 2,000 earthquakes with a magnitude of 4.0 or greater since 1980. The recent series of temblors underscores the ongoing seismic activity and the need for robust disaster preparedness and response systems in the region.