On the morning of January 30th, at 10:11 AM, a Richter scale 5.6 earthquake struck Daibu Township in Chiayi County, Taiwan. Experts have indicated that this earthquake is an aftershock of the 6.4 magnitude earthquake that occurred on January 21st in the same region. They have warned that there might be more significant aftershocks within the coming week.
The earthquake had a depth of 10 kilometers and its epicenter was located 40.5 kilometers southeast of the Chiayi County government complex (in Daibu Township). The maximum intensity recorded was 5 in Chiayi County and also 5 in Daibu Township, with lesser intensities of 4 recorded in Fanlu, Minxiong, Alishan, Taibao City, and Yizhu.
Hsueh Mei-yi, the chief scientist at the Seismology Center of the Central Weather Bureau in Taiwan, explained that this recent earthquake is directly linked to the previous earthquake on January 21st in Daibu. The cause of both quakes is attributed to the compression of the western foothills by tectonic plates. However, it is still unclear which fault line is directly responsible for these aftershocks. The authorities are advising the public to remain cautious as there is a risk of more sizeable aftershocks occurring within the next week.
Earlier, on January 21st at 12:17 AM, a Richter scale 6.4 earthquake hit the same region with a depth of 9.7 kilometers and an epicenter 37.9 kilometers southeast of the Chiayi County government complex (also in Daibu Township). The maximum intensity recorded during that quake was 6 in Chiayi County.
It is important for the residents in the affected areas to stay informed, follow safety protocols, and be prepared in case of any emergency situations. The authorities are closely monitoring the seismic activity and providing updates to ensure the safety and well-being of the public.