Taiwan: Magnitude-5.1 offshore earthquake occurs near Yilan at 21:05 Nov. 14

Event

A magnitude-5.1 earthquake occurred off the eastern coast of Taiwan at around 21:05 Nov. 14. The epicenter was about 32 km (20 miles) southwest of Yilan City. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 71 km (44 miles), and the Central Weather Bureau reported moderate shaking in Yilan County and Taipei area and weak-to-light shaking in central and northern Taiwan. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties; however, some minor damage may have occurred. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Light aftershocks are likely over the coming days.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.