Seismologists say more large aftershocks from weekend quakes are unlikely

Seismologists say more large aftershocks from weekend quakes are unlikely

2022-09-19

Another powerful earthquake struck Taiwan on Monday morning, this time with the epicenter in Hualien’s Zhuoxi Township. Seismologists say the magnitude-5.9 temblor was just one of dozens of aftershocks of a 6.8 earthquake that struck Taitung on Sunday afternoon. They say that, since Taiwan has already experienced eight earthquakes with magnitudes of at least 6 this year, 2023 could be a calmer year, seismically speaking.

People flee Chunri Elementary School in Hualien, as landslides rush down from the mountain opposite the school’s playground, taking onlookers by surprise. Taitung’s Guanshan and Chishang townships were struck by two earthquakes with magnitudes above 6 over the weekend, followed by continuous aftershocks. Then on Monday, Hualien’s Zhouxi Township was the epicenter of a magnitude-5.9 earthquake. The weather bureau’s seismologists say more large earthquakes are unlikely in the short term.

Chen Kuo-chang
Central Weather Bureau
I think that these concentrated aftershocks should be nearly over — already they are not so frequent any more. Also, I think the chances of another large aftershock are quite low.

Experts say Taiwan is currently in a period of heightened seismic activity. In Taiwan, the year 1999 recorded 15 earthquakes with a magnitude of at least 6. That’s the most recorded in one year. That’s followed by 1951 with 13 big quakes, and this year with eight recorded so far. However, if history is any indicator, next year should see an obvious reduction in seismic activity.

Kuo Kai-wen
Former seismologist
We’ve already had eight large-scale quakes this year, so that has dissipated most of that built-up energy. So, I’m hopeful that next year will be fairly quiet.

The weekend’s large earthquakes in Taitung occurred along a fault line under the Central Mountain Range that was not previously a focus of attention. Researchers have now discovered dense seismic zones on the eastern side of the mountain range.

Wu Yi-min
National Taiwan University
The fault under the Central Mountain Range is on the west side of the rift valley. That means it slopes eastward, but it doesn’t reach the surface, so seismologists didn’t list it as an active fault.

Researchers say this type of blind thrust fault may cause large earthquakes, even though it is not exposed on the surface. They also advise paying more attention to similar faults in Chiayi Couty and Tainan, which is a potential high-risk area given how seldom the faults there release energy.

餘震階段接近尾聲學者:中央山脈斷層被忽略

2022-09-19

台東關山和池上，週六日兩起規模超過6的強震後，餘震不斷、至少150起，花蓮卓溪上午10點多，還出現規模5.9的餘震。地震測報中心研判，密集餘震的階段已經接近尾聲，後續不太會有大的餘震。學者分析，這次台東強震，發生在從來沒被標示的中央山脈底下斷層，雖然地表上看不到痕跡，也可能誘發大地震。

現場人員倉皇逃離春日國小，操場對面的山頭，土石瞬間崩落坍塌，嚇壞不少民眾。台東關山和池上，週末連兩起，規模超過6的強震後，餘震不斷，週一上午花蓮卓溪地牛翻身、規模還有5.9。幸好，測報中心研判，後續發生大餘震的機率低。

[[氣象局地震測報中心主任陳國昌]]
“我個人覺得所謂的密集發生餘震的階段，應該是接近尾聲了，已經不會算是密集發生，然後大的餘震我覺得可能性偏低。”

有專家說，目前正值地震活躍期，根據規模6以上的地震次數高低統計，1999年有15次最多，再來是1951年的13次，而今年已有8起，為史上第三多。不過，高峰後的隔年，強震數量都會明顯降低。

[[前氣象局地震測報中心主任郭鎧紋]]
“我們現在已經發生8個規模6以上的地震，所以等於是把能量清得比較乾淨，所以我期盼說，明年是個地靜人安的一年。”

這次台東強震，發生在從來沒被標示的中央山脈底下斷層。有研究團隊最近在中央山脈東側，發現地震密集帶。

[[台大地質科學系教授吳逸民]]
“中央山脈(底下)斷層，它是在縱谷的西側，縱谷的西側，那它向東傾斜的一條斷層，只是它沒有出露到地表，所以像地質調查所就沒有把這條斷層列為活動斷層。”

學者解釋，像這樣的"盲斷層"，雖然地表上看不到痕跡，但也可能引發大地震。而嘉南地區，也被專家列為重點觀察，當地斷層因為較少能量釋放，屬於高風險潛勢地區，必須加強關注。

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Earthquake collapses bridges, buildings and canopies in Eastern Taiwan

The 6.8 earthquake that rattled Taiwan on Sunday afternoon left one person dead and dozens injured. It also resulted in significant material damage: derailed trains, warped railway tracks and collapsed road bridges. The temblor even toppled a residential building in Hualien’s Yuli Township, trapping people inside, all of whom have since been rescued. The Central Weather Bureau warns that more aftershocks may be felt in coming days.

This drone footage shows the extent of the damage at Gaoliao Bridge in Hualien’s Yuli Township. Workers at a nearby quarry had parked their dump trucks under the bridge. Fortunately for them, the bridge collapsed on the other side, sparing more than 10 trucks from damage. At the time the earthquake struck, a scooter with two riders and a small truck with one driver had been on the bridge. The two vehicles were thrust onto the riverbed as the bridge collapsed, and the driver of the truck was left trapped in her vehicle for some time. The three were rescued moments later and sent to the hospital with minor injuries.

Over at Hualien’s Dongli Railway Station, a concrete canopy over the platform collapsed with the earthquake on Sunday. It struck a Tze-chiang limited express train which was passing the station, derailing six of the train’s cars. Transport minister Wang Kwo-tsai on Monday headed to the area to inspect the damage. He says the railway tracks have been deformed in 11 spots, and won’t be fixed until Sept. 25. However, train services will take a little longer to return to normal operations, as bridges on the system have to undergo structural repairs.

Over in the mountains of Yuli Township, a road on Chike Mountain was damaged, shutting down traffic in the area. In nearby Fuli Township, more than 400 people were left stranded on the mountains after a landslide cut access to and from Liushishi Mountain.

Chen Rong-tsung
Head of Fuli Township
The road goes about 6 kilometers up. We’re at the 3.5-kilometer spot. The excavator has been digging since it arrived, to clear the road and rescue the 400 people stuck at the top. We have five excavators working on this at the same time. They’ve been sent up the mountain to clear all the debris.

Fuli Township and the Suhua Improvement Engineering Office worked together for more than 20 hours, to clear passage. All people affected have since been able to leave the area.

Perhaps the most striking rescue operation was that of a building that collapsed in Yuli Township. Rescue teams entered the ruins in search of survivors.

A girl cries out and the team of rescuers gather to pull her out. As fast as possible, they rescue her through a small gap.

After the rescue operations, a crew cleared the wreck through the night. The owner of the building had initially raised objection, saying he had valuables in the rubble. In the end, he agreed to a full demolition.

The Central Weather Bureau says more aftershocks may shake the area in coming days. Residents in Eastern Taiwan are advised to stay alert in case another big one hits.

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Tsai apologizes to Taitung and Hualien heads after earthquake response center visit

President Tsai Ing-wen on Monday offered apologies to the commissioners of Taitung and Hualien for failing to speak with them during disaster relief efforts the day before. Tsai had visited the Central Emergency Operation Center on Sunday night, to oversee operations in the wake of the strongest earthquake to hit Taitung in 49 years. She gave an address to the team at the center, but did not speak with the two commissioners, as had been expected. The president says the incident was the result of poor communication with staff, who were busy attending to dealing with the aftermath of the earthquake.

President Tsai Ing-wen on Monday met the delegation that represented Taiwan at this year’s World Police and Fire Games. She thanked them all for their hard work.

Tsai Ing-wen
President
We saw disasters occurring all around the country. Our police officers and firefighters responded immediately, devoting themselves to disaster relief operations. Whenever there is a natural disaster, the hardest work is that work carried out by first responders. On behalf of the whole country, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to you all, for all your hard work.

This past weekend, Taitung experience its strongest earthquake in 49 years. Upon learning of the incident Tsai gave an address to the nation, and Premier Su Tseng-chang headed to the Central Emergency Operation Center. The central government launched rescue operations, and the Ministry of National defense established a command center to assist with relief measures. At 8 p.m. on Sunday, President Tsai herself went to the Central Emergency Operation Center to hear debriefings from the relevant agencies. The KMT commissioners of Hualien and Taitung, Hsu Chen-wei and Yao Ching-ling have protested Tsai’s actions, saying that she left the operations center after giving a speech, and did not speak with them via teleconference as expected.

Fu Kun-chi
KMT lawmaker
It was quite regrettable yesterday, that there was no communication with the president and the premier. I hope it was just a misunderstanding.

Tsai Ing-wen
President
Last night, I went to the Central Emergency Operation Center. Our staff was very busy and may not have communicated well enough. So that may have been some shortcomings that resulted in me not being able to speak with the two county commissioners and the rescue teams. I hereby would like to apologize to both county commissioners and the disaster relief teams in Hualien and Taitung. Moving forward we still have a lot of work to do, and central and local governments will work together to ensure normalcy is restored as soon as possible.

The president says she is keeping a close eye on disaster response operations, as premier Su stays in Hualien overseeing relief work.

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New Taipei father collects fun costumes to take his children to school

And now we head to New Taipei to meet “Dinosaur Dad.” This fall, a pair of young twins in the city have been finding it difficult to adjust to first grade. Their dad was not sure how to help, until they made a request he was happy to agree to. Every day, he dresses as a fun character to take them to school. And on the way, all his neighbors can enjoy the game as well.

A minion saunters down the street, swaying from side to side. But why would this cute guy be outside of a theme park? This is just a normal street near a school in New Taipei’s Linkou District.

Parent
Since he appeared, everyone thinks that going to school is a really cute experience.

What’s the minion doing waiting at the school gate? Well, 33-year-old dad Mr. Chang decided to adopt the character to help his children overcome their reluctance to go to school.

Mr. Chang
Parent
They were finding it hard to adapt to school. They could go to school at 9 a.m. in the place where we lived before. But now they don’t really want to go to school. They’re always dragging their feet.

It’s these little twins, who just started Grade 1, and are finding it hard to get on with school. They asked their dad if he could dress up as a dinosaur to take them to school. And Mr. Chang was happy to oblige. He puts on a different costume each morning – a minion, a dinosaur, or a Charizard.

Mr. Chang
Parent
The most valuable part of it is not that they’re happy to go to school it’s that I’m happy to take them inside every day, and I enjoy that time with them. As a man, I have to fulfill my commitments.

Putting on the elaborate costumes is not that easy. After his walk to school, Chang comes home dripping in sweat, but with a big smile on his face. The school’s principal thinks it’s a great initiative.

Li Yung-chih
Lilin Elementary principal
It’s good for the students. I think it’s wonderful.

A ferocious Charizard trundles into view, but not to worry – inside it’s just dear old dad. The kids gather round with excitement. One twin grabs the dragon’s tail with a grin. The other wants to hold dad’s hand. As they head home for today, it looks like school wasn’t so scary after all.

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US President Joe Biden reiterates that US would defend Taiwan in Chinese attack

In an interview on the CBS program 60 Minutes, U.S. President Joe Biden reiterated that the U.S. would come to Taiwan’s defense if China decides to attack. The president answered affirmatively when asked to confirm that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan would be seen differently from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The White House has walked back the comments, but analysts say that Biden is trying to convey clear support for Taiwan, after some proposals in the recently passed Taiwan Policy Act were redacted or toned down.

During an interview on Sunday on the CBS program 60 Minutes, U.S. President Joe Biden was asked again about whether U.S. troops would defend Taiwan during a Chinese invasion attempt.

Scott Pelley
Journalist
Would U.S. forces defend the island?

Joe Biden
US President
Yes, if in fact there was an unprecedented attack.

Expressing clear U.S. intent to defend Taiwan, Biden was asked by the interviewer for clarification that the U.S. sees such a potential event as different from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Scott Pelley
Journalist
So, unlike Ukraine, to be clear, sir, U.S. forces, U.S. men and women would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion?

Joe Biden
US President
Yes.

Biden was also asked about whether Chinese leader Xi Jinping was aware of his stance.

Scott Pelley
Journalist
Does President Xi know about your commitment to Taiwan?

Joe Biden
US President
We agree with what we signed on to, a long time ago, and there’s a “one China” policy, and Taiwan makes their own judgments about their independence. We are not moving, we are not encouraging their independence, we’re not… that’s their decision.

Following the interview, the White House issued a statement saying that Washington’s position on Taiwan had not changed. However, Sunday’s interview is widely being seen as Biden’s clearest confirmation of U.S. troop commitment to Taiwan thus far.

Wang Chih-sheng
Cross-Strait Policy Association
Biden used this exclusive interview to send a clear message, in response to Chinese pressuring of Taiwan on the issue of unification. He clearly told the whole world that the U.S. won’t sit idly by while China, at some unspecified time in the future, attempts a military invasion of Taiwan. Taiwan’s future is for its 23 million people to decide, and Biden’s comments on the matter are clearly a slap in the face for China.

Lo Chih-cheng
DPP lawmaker
The U.S. is aware of China’s growing capabilities and ambitions toward Taiwan — it’s very clear. So in order to obstruct Chinese military aggression toward Taiwan, the U.S. has to adopt strategic clarity on the issue. However, in terms of exactly what the U.S. will do to help Taiwan, what it will do in the event of a crisis in the Taiwan Strait, or war, it will still adopt more ambiguous posturing.

The researcher believes that Biden has chosen this time specifically to reiterate support for Taiwan, to coincide with the recent passing of the Taiwan Policy Act of 2022 in a Senate committee. He says Biden hopes to demonstrate U.S. commitment to Taiwan’s defense, at all levels of the U.S. government and military.

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Lithuanian Lifestyle Festival offers wide range of culinary treats

A Lithuanian Lifestyle Festival is coming to Taiwan. The festival will feature a large range of Lithuanian goods, especially food products. The festival launch was supported by diplomats from Lithuania and Taiwan, to promote the bilateral friendship between the two nations. The department store hosting the festival says it will pursue a high sales volume, to combat the rising costs of international trade.

Two-tone honey, and a sakotis tree cake are just some of the fabulous culinary specialties from Lithuania on show at the festival. The event aims to strengthen friendship between the two countries by giving Taiwanese shoppers a chance to sample new products.

Tsai Yun-chung
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In the last two years, Taiwan and Lithuania have had much cooperation in many different ways, from inter-governmental cooperation, to business-to-business cooperation. We hope that Lithuanian products will become a part of our daily family life.

Karolis Zemaitis
Vice-Minister of Economy, Lithuania
With our cooperation, with our friendship, and, I think we are already achieving a lot, and a lot of things are already in the very near future.

Taiwan’s friendship with Lithuania has boosted bilateral trade lately. Taiwanese people may not be able to travel to Lithuania, but now they can easily sample Lithuanian delicacies. However, the recent weakening of the new Taiwan dollar – which is down to more than 31 against the greenback – does mean costs are rising for importers. And that puts pressure on trade.

Yeh Wei
Import merchant
Importing from Europe or from Lithuania is a long journey, whether by air or by sea. We still have to use air freight for lots of cargo, and in some cases, refrigeration. So the import costs are comparatively high.

Luo Ta-wei
Department store owner
We will continue to coordinate with manufacturers. In the past we would receive a shipment perhaps once a week. Now we will receive two shipments a week. We will try to suppress rising costs by pursuing a high sales volume. So we can maintain the original price, until that’s really impossible.

These days, it seems the price of almost everything is rising. Retailers and manufacturers are doing their best to keep prices down by using their best marketing strategies.

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