The Central Weather Bureau (
But an official at the weather bureau said that given the preparedness of residents and the geological features of island's eastern coast, there was no cause for alarm.
"We can't precisely tell whether a quake is imminent," said Kuo Kai-wen (
The bureau's records show the consistency of crustal movements in the region. In relation to the bureau's observation station in Panchiao (
Last year, the distance between the two stations shortened by 3.35cm.
"The whole Hualien area has moved 5.165cm northwest of its original location in one year, heightening the potential for a massive quake in the region," Kuo said.
Earthquakes in Taiwan are related to compression movements of the Eurasia Continental Plate and the Philippine Sea Plate; the two meet in the Hualien area.
Since July, such compression movements in the area have occurred with increased frequency.
In addition, Kuo said, because all quakes in the Hualien area over the last six years have measured below six on the Richter scale, the accumulated energy inside the crust on which the region sits -- if released all at once -- could trigger another large quake.
Statistics indicate that, on average, Hualien should experience an earthquake above six on the Richter scale every two to three years.
But since June 1994, all quakes in the Hualien region have measured below six.
On the other hand, the increased intensity of earthquakes in areas northeast of the city off the east coast reflects the more vigorous seismic activity of recent months.
Leu Peih-lin (
She noted residents' constant state of preparedness, as well as the area's past record of withstanding quakes of such magnitude prior to 1994.
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