All people are afraid of natural disasters, because man is powerless before the power of nature. Unfortunately, no one is immune from such troubles. But it is important to take precautions and read the news about which cities and countries are at high risk. Taiwan is one of them. The earthquake in Taiwan 2024 was the strongest in the last 25 years in this country.
ContentEarthquake in Taiwan April 3, 2024: causeEarthquake in Taiwan 2024: consequencesHow to protect yourself during an earthquakeIndoorsOutdoorsWhat to do after
For some people, the quake brought back memories of Taiwan's last major earthquake in 1999, when a magnitude 7.6 quake killed about 2,400 people and injured another 10,000. WomanEL will share a brief overview of what exactly happened on April 3.
Earthquake in Taiwan April 3, 2024: cause
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Taiwan, located on the tectonic boundary between the Eurasian Plate and the Philippine Sea Plate, is accustomed to and well prepared for earthquakes. But officials at the earthquake monitoring agency expected much smaller tremors and did not send the usual warning.
Since 1980, about 2,000 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or greater have occurred in Taiwan and its surrounding waters, according to the US Geological Survey. More than 100 of them had a magnitude above 5.5. “Unfortunately, this high level of seismic activity will continue for millions of years,” said seismologist Stephen Gao.
“This underscores the importance of preparedness and resilience in the face of ongoing seismic risks,” he told the AP.
“This underscores the importance of preparedness and resilience in the face of ongoing seismic risks,” he told the AP.
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“Taiwan's earthquake preparedness is one of the most advanced in the world,” the expert says. “The island has strict building codes, a world-class seismological network, and extensive public education campaigns on seismic safety.”
Earthquake in Taiwan 2024: consequences
The earthquake, whose magnitude was 7.5 according to the Japan Meteorological Agency and 7.4 according to the US Geological Survey, occurred about 18 km (11 miles) south of Hualien. It caused widespread alarm in Taipei, more than 100 km away, where buildings shook violently, and triggered tsunami warnings from southern Japan to the Philippines.
At least 10 people were confirmed as of Thursday killed and 1,038 others injured after a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck the east of the island on Wednesday morning. At least 52 people are missing and cannot be contacted. This is reported by CNN.
Of the ten people whose deaths were confirmed, three were tourists who died in landslides in Taroko National Park, located in Hualien County.
The three, who were part of a group of seven people who had gone on an early morning hike in the hills surrounding the city, were crushed to death by boulders torn apart by the earthquake, authorities said.
In addition, the drivers of a truck and a car were killed when their vehicles collided with falling boulders, and another person died in the mine.
How to protect yourself during an earthquake
How to behave in case of an earthquake, Source: pexels.com
When you feel the first tremors, it is impossible to predict how long the earthquake will last or how strong it will be. To protect yourself, you need to act quickly. Follow these recommendations from Montreal.
Indoors
- Take shelter under a heavy piece of furniture – a table, bed or any other massive object . If possible, move to the middle of the room, away from windows.
- Place your arms around your head and neck to protect yourself from falling objects.
- Hold on to the object you are under to keep from falling until the shaking stops.
- If there is no hard furniture nearby or you are in a hallway, squat against an inside wall.
- Do not try go somewhere or go outside during tremors. Earthquakes are unpredictable. Sometimes they can be so strong that you cannot go anywhere, even crawling.
Outdoor
- Go to a free space, away from buildings.
- Go to an empty space, away from buildings.
- If you are in a busy public area, seek shelter in a safe place.
- Move away from high voltage lines, trees, signs, cars and anything else that could fall and injure you.
What to do after
- Caution! An earthquake is usually followed by aftershocks. Be prepared.
- Stay calm and help others if you can.
- Listen to the radio or watch TV to find out what emergency officials tell you to do. Follow their instructions.
- To keep phone lines clear for emergency assistance, do not use the telephone unless you are calling to report an emergency.
- Check your home for structural damage and other dangers. If it is not safe to do so, leave and do not return.
- Wear sturdy shoes and protective clothing when clearing debris.
- Immediately clean up any spilled medications, bleach, or flammable liquids such as gasoline.
- Before lighting a match or turning on a light, make sure there is no gas leak or flammable liquid spilled.
- If you have to leave your home, take an emergency kit and other necessary items with you.
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Due to voltage surges, it is very important to protect your electrical appliances. We have published the basic rules.