Taiwan’s Advanced Earthquake Safety Measures Limit Damage in Recent 7.4 Magnitude Quake

Taiwan, located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, is no stranger to earthquakes and is well-prepared to respond to such natural disasters. Recently, on April 3, a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan, resulting in the deaths of at least 9 individuals and injuries to hundreds more. Despite the damage to buildings and roads, experts attribute the relatively limited damage to Taiwan’s 23 million residents to the island’s good preparation and advanced earthquake safety measures.

Comparing the impact of earthquakes in Taiwan to those in other regions, it becomes evident that Taiwan’s earthquake preparedness is among the most advanced in the world. For example, the earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand in 2011 claimed 165 lives, while the earthquake in Nepal in 2015 led to almost 10,000 deaths. In contrast, the damage caused by earthquakes in Taiwan has been significantly less severe.

Taiwan’s strict building codes, advanced seismic network, and public education campaigns have contributed to its ability to withstand strong earthquakes. Despite the devastation caused by the recent earthquake, many buildings in Taiwan remained standing, demonstrating the importance of construction methods in withstanding seismic events.

The factors that determine the extent of damage from earthquakes include seismic intensity