Magnitude 5.2 Earthquake Strikes Off Eastern Taiwan! Area Previously Hit by M7.0 Quake — Meteorological Agency: Beware of Aftershocks in Next 3 Days

A magnitude 5.2 earthquake occurred in the waters off eastern Taiwan at 7:30 PM on the 15th, with a focal depth of 66.6 kilometers. The maximum seismic intensity reached Level 3 in Yilan County and New Taipei City. The Central Weather Administration stated that this was a deeper 'subduction-type earthquake,' and due to frequent seismic activity in the region, aftershocks of magnitude 4.5 to 5 should be monitored over the next three days.

According to the Central Weather Administration's 55th Significant Felt Earthquake Report, the epicenter was located 52.8 kilometers southeast of Yilan County Government, in the waters off eastern Taiwan. Level 3 shaking was recorded in Nan'ao and Yilan City in Yilan County, as well as Touceng, Su'ao, and Xizhi in New Taipei City. Parts of Hualien, Taipei, and Taichung recorded a maximum intensity of Level 2, while areas north of Chiayi across multiple counties and cities registered intensities of Level 1 to 2.

The shaking at Level 3 in Yilan and Xizhi lasted approximately one second, while shaking in areas with Level 1 to 2 intensities lasted from several seconds to tens of seconds. Lin Bo-you, Section Chief at the Earthquake Monitoring and Reporting Center, explained that with a depth exceeding 60 kilometers, this quake is classified as a deeper 'subduction-type earthquake,' which shakes differently from typical shallow quakes. Northeastern Taiwan lies where the Philippine Sea Plate subducts beneath the Eurasian Plate. Historical records show earthquake clusters occurring at both shallow depths and at 50–60 kilometers deep.

On December 27 last year, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake occurred about 20–30 kilometers northwest of this epicenter, also at a depth of around 67.7 kilometers. The two quakes are of a similar type. The Central Weather Administration notes that seismic activity has historically occurred in this region, meaning the current quake is part of ongoing background seismicity.

According to reports from China Times News, Wu Chien-fu, Director of the Earthquake Monitoring and Reporting Center, warned that energy accumulates rapidly in this area, so aftershocks of magnitude 4.5 to 5 should be expected in the next three days. However, subsequent quakes are expected to be smaller than the current M5.2 event, and due to the deeper focal depth, surface shaking will likely be weaker.

Lin emphasized that it remains impossible globally to accurately predict the time and location of earthquakes. 'Taiwan is inherently a region with high seismic activity, so everyone should maintain daily earthquake preparedness and stay updated on the latest earthquake information from the Central Weather Administration.'