Taiwan earthquake of magnitude 6.1: Details and geological causes

Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau reported on Wednesday that a strong earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale struck the southeastern part of the island. According to official data, the quake occurred at 5:47 PM local time (9:47 AM GMT), with its epicenter located in Taitung County at a relatively shallow depth of 11.9 kilometers. The tremor was clearly felt by residents, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage.

Taiwan and the Ring of Fire: An Important Geological Context

This phenomenon is not unusual for Taiwan, as the island lies in a highly active geological region known as the Pacific Ring of Fire. This region is a broad arc of intense seismic and volcanic activity that encircles the Pacific Ocean basin. Specifically, Taiwan is located near the intersection of two major tectonic plates: the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate. The constant collision and friction between these two plates leads to a buildup of pressure in the Earth's crust, which is released suddenly in the form of frequent earthquakes.

Readiness and the impact of infrastructure

Despite the earthquake's magnitude exceeding 6, the lack of immediate damage reflects the robustness of Taiwan's infrastructure. Following the devastating 1999 earthquake that killed over 2,400 people, the Taiwanese government rigorously updated building codes and safety standards. Modern buildings and bridges in Taiwan are designed to absorb shocks and withstand powerful tremors, which explains why the country has been spared similar disasters in recent years.

Seismic activity has increased globally

This earthquake comes at a time when the world has been experiencing significant seismic activity since the beginning of 2025, with reports of daily tremors across various continents, from Asia to South America and the Mediterranean region. Experts indicate that earthquakes vary in their causes and classifications, the most prominent of which are:
1. Tectonic earthquakes: These are the most common and occur as a result of the movement and slippage of tectonic plates along geological faults.
2. Volcanic earthquakes: These are linked to the upwelling of magma and volcanic activity.
3. Induced earthquakes: These can be caused by human activity such as the construction of large dams or oil and gas extraction operations.

While scientific studies indicate that the overall rate of major earthquakes (magnitude 7 and above) remains within the established historical rates, technological development and the speed of information transfer have contributed to increasing global awareness and monitoring medium and small tremors with unprecedented accuracy, giving the impression that their frequency is increasing.