2016 southern Taiwan earthquake
At 03:57 local time on 6 February 2016, an earthquake with a moment magnitude of 6.4 struck 28 km (17 mi) northeast of Pingtung City in southern Taiwan, in the Meinong District of Kaohsiung. The earthquake struck at a depth of around 23 km (14 mi). Its comparatively shallow depth caused more intense reverberations on the surface. The earthquake had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong) on the Mercalli intensity scale, causing widespread damage and 116 deaths. Almost all of the deaths were caused by a collapsed residential building, named Weiguan Jinlong in Yongkang District, while two other people were killed in Gueiren District. Sixty-eight aftershocks have occurred. The earthquake was the deadliest earthquake in Taiwan since the 1999 Jiji earthquake.
UTC time | 2016-02-05 19:57:27 |
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ISC event | 611838796 |
USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
Local date | 6 February 2016 |
Local time | 03:57:27 (UTC+8) |
Magnitude | 6.4 Mw |
Depth | 23.0 km (14.3 mi) |
Epicenter | 22.94°N 120.59°E |
Areas affected | Republic of China (Taiwan) |
Max. intensity | MMI VII (Very strong) |
Peak acceleration | 0.4 g |
Peak velocity | 38.99 cm/s |
Casualties | 116 dead 550 injured |
Citations |