TAIPEI, Taiwan – A moderate 5.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the eastern coast of Taiwan on Thursday, sending tremors through the capital and serving as a stark reminder of the island’s precarious position atop one of the world’s most active tectonic zones. According to Taiwan's Central Weather Administration, the quake occurred at approximately 7:51 PM local time, with its epicenter located about 18 kilometers (11 miles) off the coast of Hualien at a depth of 31.6 kilometers.
The shaking was felt distinctly in Taipei, where high-rise buildings swayed for several seconds, prompting residents to seek cover. Despite the alarm, the National Fire Agency reported that there were no immediate calls for major emergency services, and no significant structural damage or casualties have been documented in the hours following the event. Taiwan's critical semiconductor manufacturing hubs also appeared to escape impact, with no reports of production interruptions.
This seismic event was not isolated. On the same day, a 4.4-magnitude earthquake was recorded in Myanmar, and a 4.0-magnitude tremor touched Northeast India near Meghalaya. Such frequent activity is common in the "Ring of Fire," a horseshoe-shaped belt of fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin.
Volcanic activity also intensified on Thursday. In Indonesia, Mount Semeru—one of the nation’s highest and most dangerous volcanoes—recorded 30 eruption earthquakes in a single six-hour window. It remains at a Level III "Alert" status. Simultaneously, in Hawaii, the USGS noted significant ground inflation at Kīlauea. Although the volcano is currently in a "pause" phase, the rapid accumulation of magma suggests that a new fountain of lava—Episode 39—is likely to burst forth between December 22 and 27.
While today's tremors caused little physical destruction, they underscore the constant geological pressure building beneath the surface of East Asia and the Pacific. Authorities in Taiwan continue to monitor for aftershocks, advising citizens to remain vigilant.