Taiwan: Magnitude-5.9 offshore earthquake occurs off the coast of Hualien County, Taiwan, at around 12:03 Dec. 15

Event

A magnitude-5.9 earthquake occurred in the East China Sea off the coast of Hualien County at around 12:03 Dec. 15. The epicenter was about 28 km (17 miles) southeast of Hualien City. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 12 km (7 miles), and moderate to strong shaking was probably felt throughout Hualien County, with light shaking probably felt throughout the rest of Taiwan. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake; however, significant damage is unlikely. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Light to moderate 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, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

Advice

Out of an abundance of caution, consider vacating multistory buildings where shaking occurred until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Monitor and plan for aftershocks.