Earthquakes in Taiwan on 6 and 7 February 2021

Reporter : Chen Yiling  / Extract translation : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Image :  The 206 Tainan Earthquake has just reached its 5th anniversary. It is expected that another earthquake occurred in Taiwan today. (Picture/TVBS data screen) 

A 6.1-scale earthquake occurred in Taiwan at 1:36 am today (February 7). The epicenter is 85.1 kilometers east of the Yilan County Government (the eastern sea). It shook for about 30 seconds in the middle of the night, plus the sound of the national alarm. It was sent 14 times in a row, scaring many people awake late at night. But what is horrifying is that a strong earthquake occurred in Hualien three years ago and Kaohsiung five years ago. The dates of the three earthquakes were so close that they were creepy by coincidence. 

At 1:36 am today, a 6.1 susceptible earthquake on the Richter scale occurred with a depth of 112 kilometers and a maximum magnitude of 4. According to data from the Meteorological Bureau, the largest earthquakes in various regions are: Yilan 4, Miaoli 4, Hualien 3, New Taipei 3, Hsinchu 3, Taoyuan 3, Taipei 2, Nantou 2, Taichung 2, Yunlin 2. Level 2, Changhua Level 2, Taitung Level 2, Chiayi County Level 2, Chiayi City Level 1, Tainan Level 1, Kaohsiung Level 1, Keelung Level 1.

Since the earthquake warning was issued 14 times in the early morning, many people were awakened. Fortunately, it did not cause any disaster. However, it also reminded many people of the strong earthquake in Hualien 3 years ago and Meinung Kaohsiung 5 years ago. 

An earthquake of 6.6 magnitude occurred at 3:57 am on February 6, 2016 in Meinong, Kaohsiung. The largest earthquake was at magnitude 7 in Xinhua, Tainan. It caused the collapse of the Weiguan Jinlong Building. Many residents died in their sleep, with 115 deaths. People, 96 of them were injured. 

On the second anniversary of the Kaohsiung Meinong Earthquake (the Great Tainan Earthquake), a 6.2 magnitude earthquake occurred in Hualien at 11:50 midnight on February 6, causing Hualien Park. Road Commander Hotel, the Cloud Gate Cuidi Building at No. 2 Shangxiao Street, the Platinum Double Star Building at No. 2 Guosheng 6th Street, and the Wuju Wusu Building at No. 41 Guosheng 6th Street collapsed. A total of 17 people were killed in the earthquake and 172 buildings of all levels were killed. The school was hit. Many netizens recalled the tragic situation of the Hualien and Tainan earthquakes on Facebook. 

As Kaohsiung Meinong, Hualien and Yilan all had earthquakes on February 6 and 7, it was a creepy coincidence, plus 14 earthquake warnings were issued in a row. Many netizens have collapsed on Facebook’s “Booming Complaint Commune”, saying, “The most serious earthquake happened in the middle of the night. It’s safer to be awakened” and “It’s actually pretty good. Yesterday was the fifth anniversary of Tainan’s 206th. It’s a good thing to post the notice!", "The difference (the Great Tainan Earthquake) is only one day away, it’s very scary."

For the detailed report, please visit: news.tvbs.com.tw/life/1460809