IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Powerful quake rocks northern Taiwan

A strong earthquake hit northern Taiwan on Monday night, shaking buildings in the capital, Taipei, for several seconds. No injuries or serious damage were immediately reported.
/ Source: The Associated Press

A strong earthquake hit Taiwan late Monday night, shaking buildings in the capital, Taipei, for several seconds. No injuries or serious damage was immediately reported.

The 6.7-magnitude quake's epicenter was in the Pacific Ocean, 96 kilometers (60 miles) from the east coast city of Hualien, the Central Weather Service said. Hualien is about 140 kilometers (87 miles) southeast of Taipei.

The quake caused buildings in Taipei to sway gently for several seconds, and the bureau said that the entire island felt the tremor.

Seismologists at the weather agency said that the quake's magnitude was 5.7 and that its epicenter was just off the northeast coast near the city of Ilan. But they later revised the measurements, saying that seismic activity had distorted their original readings.

Earthquakes frequently rock Taiwan, but most are minor and cause little or no damage. However, a 7.6-magnitude earthquake four years ago in central Taiwan killed more than 2,300 people.

A magnitude 5 quake can cause considerable damage.

Earthquakes frequently rock Taiwan, but most are minor and cause little or no damage.

Last month, an earthquake measured at magnitude 7 by the weather bureau but magnitude 6.7 by the Golden, Colo.-based U.S. Geological Survey forced the Taipei subway system to shut down and knocked out power at the world's tallest skyscraper, Taipei 101.