Magnitude 5.7 Earthquake in Eastern Taiwan... "Aftershocks Continue"

A magnitude 5.7 earthquake occurred on the afternoon of the 15th in the waters near Yilan County in eastern Taiwan.

According to the Central Weather Administration (CWA) of Taiwan, at 5:06 PM local time, an earthquake struck 9.0 km underwater in the eastern waters, 38.3 km southeast of the Yilan County Government Office in northeastern Taiwan.

One minute later, at 5:07 PM, a magnitude 4.5 earthquake was recorded in the nearby sea 37.8 km southeast of the Yilan County Government Office. Afterward, aftershocks continued in the nearby waters with magnitudes of 4.3 at 5:16 PM and 4.7 at 5:33 PM.

The area of the 5.7 magnitude earthquake in eastern Taiwan on the 15th (red star) [Captured from Taiwan Central Weather Bureau, Yonhap News]

Taiwanese media reported that most areas in Taiwan felt severe shaking from side to side at the time, but no casualties have been reported so far.

Following this earthquake, a "national-level alert" was issued for the metropolitan areas of Taipei City and New Taipei City, as well as eastern Yilan County and Hualien County.

TSMC, the world's largest foundry (semiconductor contract manufacturer), stated that the earthquake did not meet the criteria for employee evacuation and is expected to have no impact. United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC), Taiwan's second-largest foundry, also reported normal operations.

In response to the earthquake, the Taipei Metro (MRT) began operating at reduced speeds, and New Taipei MRT temporarily suspended operations of the MRT, Circular Line, and light rail for safety inspections.

At a press conference, the Taiwan Central Weather Administration stated that this earthquake is unrelated to the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that occurred in early April (magnitude 7.4 according to US and European seismic authorities). They also warned of the possibility of aftershocks of magnitude 4 or higher within the next week and urged caution.