[The Epoch Times, 15 dicembre 2022](Reported by Epoch Times reporter Lin Zixin, Taipei, Taiwan) On the 15th, a scale of 6.2 on the Richter scale occurred in the waters off eastern Taiwan.earthquake,centralBureau of MeteorologyHe pointed out that since the depth of the earthquake was only 5.7 kilometers, it was an extremely shallow earthquake, so it was felt by the entire station, the largestintensity of the earthquakehappened toHualienShuilian, one of the weak fiveintensity of the earthquakeand the minimum seismic intensity is still level 2. The Bureau of Meteorology expects aftershocks of magnitude 4 or greater in the next three days, and aftershocks of magnitude 3 or greater could last for a week.
according toBureau of MeteorologyAccording to information, at 12:03 on the 15th in Taiwan, a scale of 6.2 on the Richter scale occurredearthquakethe depth of the earthquake was 5.7 kilometers and the epicenter was located atHualien29.1 kilometers southeast of the county government (located in eastern Taiwan waters), the area with the greatest earthquake intensity this time is Hualien County, which reached a weak magnitude of 5. Others, such as Taitung, Yilan, Nantou, Chiayi county, Changhua, Taichung and Yunlin all reached earthquake intensity class 4.
Chen Guochang, director of the Earthquake Prediction Center of the Meteorological Bureau, said that the number of shallow earthquakes in this area has been fewer than deep earthquakes in history, and there are not many events exceeding magnitude 6; from 1973 to the present, there have been earthquakes with a magnitude of 6.0 in 1982 and a magnitude 6.0 in 1990. 6.7, followed by a scale of 6.2 on 15.
Chen Guochang pointed out that after the earthquake, there were aftershocks one after another, and the earthquake sequence is still under development. Aftershocks of magnitude 3 or more are estimated to last for a week. He explained that since the shallow surroundings are surrounded by broken geological structures, more aftershocks will be caused. There will not be large aftershocks, but small aftershocks can last for a period of time.
There have been 12 earthquakes of magnitude 6 or higher this year, the year with the most earthquakes of magnitude 6 or higher since 921. Chen Guochang explained that, as far as the long-term average is concerned, there are about 3 (2.8) earthquakes with a scale of 6 or more in one year and 25 earthquakes with a scale of 5 to 6. This year’s scale of 5 to 6 broke the record and there are currently 61 earthquakes. see that this year’s seismic activity is much more active than in previous years. I hope it goes in a good direction and gradually eases next year.
Chen Guochang said some scholars have estimated that there will be earthquakes larger than 7 in eastern Taiwan in the future. The Meteorological Office respects these theories and opinions, but stressed that earthquakes are unpredictable. For example, earthquakes in 2020 and the first half of 2021 will not be active. It’s possible to be active this year and suddenly inactive next year, so it’s hard to judge accurately. ◇
Responsible editor: Chen Wenqi
