Taiwan: Magnitude-5.5 offshore earthquake occurs east of Hualien City at around 00:43 CST Feb. 12

Event

A magnitude-5.5 offshore earthquake occurred to the east of Taiwan at around 00:43 CST Feb. 12. The epicenter was about 73 km (45 miles) east of Hualien City. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles), and light-to-moderate shaking was probably felt throughout much of Taiwan, with stronger shaking possibly felt in some areas closer to the epicenter. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake; significant damage is unlikely. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are likely over the coming days. The event has not prompted any tsunami advisories.

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.

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.