Taiwan was jolted by a powerful earthquake on Friday, registering a magnitude of 6.3 on the Richter scale. The tremor struck 34 km from Hualien, a city in eastern Taiwan, marking the second significant quake to hit the island in just 24 hours. Fortunately, there have been no immediate reports of damage.Taiwans geographical location makes it particularly susceptible to earthquakes. Positioned within the Circum-Pacific Seismic Belt, the island nation sits near the convergence of several tectonic plates, leading to frequent seismic activity. Historically, Taiwan experiences about 2,200 quakes annually, a consequence of its location in this seismically sensitive zone.Historical earthquake devastationsThe island has faced numerous devastating earthquakes over the years. One of the most catastrophic was the 7.7 magnitude earthquake on September 21, 1999, which resulted in the deaths of 2,400 people and left thousands more injured. Another major quake in 2016 claimed over 100 lives. The recent tremors add to this tragic history, underscoring the islands vulnerability to seismic events.Understanding earthquake magnitudesEarthquakes are classified based on their intensity. Minor tremors typically range from 2.5 to 5.4 on the Richter scale, while those exceeding 6.0 are considered potentially dangerous. These earthquakes result from the movement of tectonic plates beneath the Earths surface, which release energy when they shift or collide.
