Two Earthquakes Strike Off Taitung Coast Within 3 Minutes, Max Intensity 4

(CNA, by reporter Chang Hsiung-feng, Taipei, 20th) According to the latest information from the Central Weather Administration (CWA), two earthquakes of magnitude 4 or greater occurred consecutively off the coast of Taitung this morning around 9 AM, with a maximum intensity of 4 in Taitung. The CWA's Seismological Center stated that the Hualien-Taitung area is prone to earthquakes and reminded the public to remain prepared. According to the latest information from the Ministry of Transportation and Communications' Central Weather Administration, a Richter scale magnitude 4.8 earthquake occurred today at 9:11 AM. The earthquake's depth was 27.8 kilometers, and its epicenter was located 65.3 kilometers north-northeast of the Taitung County Government (off the coast of Taitung County). The maximum intensity was 4 in Taitung County, 3 in Hualien, 2 in Yunlin, Chiayi, and Changhua, and 1 in areas from Taichung to Kaohsiung. Approximately 3 minutes later, at 9:14 AM, a smaller earthquake occurred in a nearby location in Taitung County. Its epicenter was located 65.7 kilometers north-northeast of the Taitung County Government (off the coast of Taitung County). The earthquake's magnitude was 4.1, with a depth of 25.6 kilometers. The maximum intensity was 3 in the Taitung County area, while Hualien, Yunlin, Nantou, and Changhua all registered an intensity of 1. The CWA's Seismological Center stated that due to plate tectonics, the Hualien-Taitung area is a region where earthquakes occur frequently, and reminded the public to be prepared for seismic events. (Editor: Kuan Chung-wei)