A significant earthquake with a magnitude of 6.6 struck off the coast of northeastern Taiwan on Saturday, marking the second powerful tremor to shake the island within a matter of days. The seismic event has put authorities and residents on high alert.
Details of the Seismic Event
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded the quake's magnitude at 6.6. However, Taiwan's own weather agency provided a higher measurement, stating it was a 7.0-magnitude event. It occurred at 11:05 pm local time (1505 GMT) on Saturday, December 27, 2025.
The epicenter was located in the sea off Yilan county, which lies southwest of the capital Taipei. The quake originated at a considerable depth of approximately 73 kilometers (45 miles) beneath the ocean's surface.
Immediate Impact and Response
The tremor was felt widely across Taiwan. In the capital, buildings in Taipei swayed noticeably, causing alarm among residents. The immediate aftermath saw disruptions to essential services and transport.
Taiwan's National Fire Agency reported that the quake temporarily cut off electricity supply in one town within Yilan county. Fortunately, they confirmed there were no immediate reports of major structural damage.
Transport networks were affected as a precaution. Taiwan Railway suspended four trains operating in the Yilan area, impacting more than 270 passengers. In Taipei, metro lines operated at a reduced speed for about 20 minutes until inspections confirmed the safety of stations and tracks.
Official Statements and Historical Context
Following the quake, Premier Cho Jung-tai urged the public to stay vigilant and look out for their neighbors. In a statement, he noted that after repeated checks, only minor incidents were reported from the tremor that hit an hour earlier.
This event follows a 6.0-magnitude tremor that struck southeastern Taiwan just days before, on Wednesday. Taiwan's high seismic activity is due to its precarious location on the edge of two tectonic plates near the Pacific Ring of Fire, described by the USGS as the world's most seismically active zone.
The island has a tragic history with earthquakes. In April 2024, a 7.4-magnitude quake killed 17 people in Hualien city, triggering landslides and causing severe building damage. That event was considered Taiwan's strongest in 25 years, hearkening back to the devastating 7.6-magnitude tremor in 1999, which remains the deadliest natural disaster in the island's recorded history.
