Taiwan Is Prepared to Deal with Earthquakes
2024-04-06
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1On April 3, Taiwan was hit by its most powerful earthquake in 25 years.
2The earthquake killed at least 12 people and injured more than 1,000.
3The earthquake damaged buildings and roadways and workers at quarries had no way home.
4Taiwan sees powerful earthquakes from time to time.
5Experts say the damage to the East Asian island and its 23 million people has been contained thanks to its earthquake preparedness.
6Here are details of Taiwan's history of earthquakes:
7Taiwan lies along what is known as the "Pacific Ring of Fire."
8It is the line of faults around the Pacific Ocean where most of the world's earthquakes happen.
9The Earth's outer covering is divided into large pieces on which the oceans and landmasses sit.
10These pieces are called tectonic plates, and where they meet is called a fault line.
11Earthquakes are common in the area near Taiwan because pressure builds up where the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate meet.
12The built-up pressure releases suddenly in the form of earthquakes.
13The area's mountains can increase ground movement, leading to landslides.
14Several landslides happened on Taiwan's eastern coast near the center of the recent quake near eastern Hualien County.
15Falling rock hit roadways, crushed vehicles and caused several deaths.
16Taiwan's earthquake agency measured the recent earthquake at 7.2 magnitude.
17The U.S. Geological Survey (or USGS) estimated it at 7.4.
18The quake damaged several buildings in Hualien but caused minor losses in the capital, Taipei, although it was strongly felt there.
19The earthquake hit in the morning when people were on their way to work.
20But, just minutes later, parents were again walking their children to school and workers were driving to offices.
21Stephen Gao is an earthquake expert and professor at Missouri University of Science and Technology.
22He said, "Taiwan's earthquake preparedness is among the most advanced in the world."
23He said the country has strong building laws, a good earthquake network, and widespread public education campaigns and earthquake safety.
24The government regularly increases the level of quake resistance required of new and existing buildings.
25This increases the costs of a building.
26But the government offers financial support to people willing to have their buildings examined for quake resistance.
27There has also been punishment for failing to meet requirements.
28Following a 2016 quake in the southwestern city of Tainan, five people were found guilty of negligence and given prison sentences.
29The people were involved in building a tall apartment building.
30But it was the only major structure to collapse in that quake.
31Taiwan also is pushing quake exercises at schools and workplaces.
32Media regularly carry warnings about earthquakes and safety that go out to cellphones.
33Gao said those measures have helped Taiwan deal with earthquakes and prevent loss of life and damage.
34Taiwan and its surrounding waters have registered about 2,000 earthquakes that measured 4.0 or greater since 1980.
35And it measured more than 100 earthquakes above 5.5, the USGS found.
36The island's most serious quake in recent memory hit on September 21, 1999.
37The 7.7 magnitude quake caused 2,400 deaths, injured 100,000 and destroyed thousands of buildings.
38Daniel Aldrich teaches political science and public policy at Northeastern University.
39He said it was a major wake-up call that led to important government changes to improve emergency services and disaster reduction.
40As a result, the government passed the Disaster Prevention and Protection Act.
41Taiwan set up two national centers to deal with earthquakes.
42Aldrich said, "I think we're seeing the results in this most recent shock."
43I'm Gregory Stachel.
1On April 3, Taiwan was hit by its most powerful earthquake in 25 years. 2The earthquake killed at least 12 people and injured more than 1,000. The earthquake damaged buildings and roadways and workers at quarries had no way home. 3Taiwan sees powerful earthquakes from time to time. Experts say the damage to the East Asian island and its 23 million people has been contained thanks to its earthquake preparedness. 4Here are details of Taiwan's history of earthquakes: 5Why so many earthquakes? 6Taiwan lies along what is known as the "Pacific Ring of Fire." It is the line of faults around the Pacific Ocean where most of the world's earthquakes happen. 7The Earth's outer covering is divided into large pieces on which the oceans and landmasses sit. These pieces are called tectonic plates, and where they meet is called a fault line. 8Earthquakes are common in the area near Taiwan because pressure builds up where the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate meet. The built-up pressure releases suddenly in the form of earthquakes. 9The area's mountains can increase ground movement, leading to landslides. Several landslides happened on Taiwan's eastern coast near the center of the recent quake near eastern Hualien County. Falling rock hit roadways, crushed vehicles and caused several deaths. 10Is Taiwan able to deal with earthquakes? 11Taiwan's earthquake agency measured the recent earthquake at 7.2 magnitude. The U.S. Geological Survey (or USGS) estimated it at 7.4. 12The quake damaged several buildings in Hualien but caused minor losses in the capital, Taipei, although it was strongly felt there. 13The earthquake hit in the morning when people were on their way to work. But, just minutes later, parents were again walking their children to school and workers were driving to offices. 14Stephen Gao is an earthquake expert and professor at Missouri University of Science and Technology. He said, "Taiwan's earthquake preparedness is among the most advanced in the world." He said the country has strong building laws, a good earthquake network, and widespread public education campaigns and earthquake safety. 15The government regularly increases the level of quake resistance required of new and existing buildings. This increases the costs of a building. But the government offers financial support to people willing to have their buildings examined for quake resistance. 16There has also been punishment for failing to meet requirements. Following a 2016 quake in the southwestern city of Tainan, five people were found guilty of negligence and given prison sentences. The people were involved in building a tall apartment building. But it was the only major structure to collapse in that quake. 17Taiwan also is pushing quake exercises at schools and workplaces. Media regularly carry warnings about earthquakes and safety that go out to cellphones. 18Gao said those measures have helped Taiwan deal with earthquakes and prevent loss of life and damage. 19The 1999 quake served as a warning 20Taiwan and its surrounding waters have registered about 2,000 earthquakes that measured 4.0 or greater since 1980. And it measured more than 100 earthquakes above 5.5, the USGS found. 21The island's most serious quake in recent memory hit on September 21, 1999. The 7.7 magnitude quake caused 2,400 deaths, injured 100,000 and destroyed thousands of buildings. 22Daniel Aldrich teaches political science and public policy at Northeastern University. He said it was a major wake-up call that led to important government changes to improve emergency services and disaster reduction. 23As a result, the government passed the Disaster Prevention and Protection Act. Taiwan set up two national centers to deal with earthquakes. 24Aldrich said, "I think we're seeing the results in this most recent shock." 25I'm Gregory Stachel. 26Simina Mistreanu reported this story for The Associated Press. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English. 27______________________________________________ 28Words in This Story 29quarry - n. a place where large amounts of stone are dug out of the ground 30fault - n. a place where there is a break that is longer than usual in the layers of rock in the earth's crust 31advanced - adj. having the most modern and recently developed ideas, or methods 32negligence - n. the failure to give somebody/something enough care or attention