[ti:Taiwan Is Prepared to Deal with Earthquakes]
[al:As It Is]
[ar:VOA]
[dt:2024-04-06]
[by:www.voase.cn]
[00:00.00]On April 3, Taiwan was hit by its most powerful earthquake in 25 years.
[00:09.04]The earthquake killed at least 12 people and injured more than 1,000. 
[00:17.38]The earthquake damaged buildings and roadways and workers at quarries had no way home.
[00:26.36]Taiwan sees powerful earthquakes from time to time. 
[00:32.96]Experts say the damage to the East Asian island and its 23 million people has been contained thanks to its earthquake preparedness.
[00:47.86]Here are details of Taiwan's history of earthquakes:
[00:53.05]Taiwan lies along what is known as the "Pacific Ring of Fire." 
[01:00.46]It is the line of faults around the Pacific Ocean where most of the world's earthquakes happen.
[01:09.00]The Earth's outer covering is divided into large pieces on which the oceans and landmasses sit. 
[01:19.52]These pieces are called tectonic plates, and where they meet is called a fault line.
[01:27.43]Earthquakes are common in the area near Taiwan because pressure builds up where the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate meet. 
[01:40.86]The built-up pressure releases suddenly in the form of earthquakes.
[01:48.27]The area's mountains can increase ground movement, leading to landslides.
[01:55.99]Several landslides happened on Taiwan's eastern coast near the center of the recent quake near eastern Hualien County. 
[02:08.04]Falling rock hit roadways, crushed vehicles and caused several deaths.
[02:15.93]Taiwan's earthquake agency measured the recent earthquake at 7.2 magnitude.
[02:25.04]The U.S. Geological Survey (or USGS) estimated it at 7.4.
[02:34.66]The quake damaged several buildings in Hualien but caused minor losses in the capital, Taipei, although it was strongly felt there.
[02:48.18]The earthquake hit in the morning when people were on their way to work.
[02:53.86]But, just minutes later, parents were again walking their children to school and workers were driving to offices.
[03:04.05]Stephen Gao is an earthquake expert and professor at Missouri University of Science and Technology.
[03:15.19]He said, "Taiwan's earthquake preparedness is among the most advanced in the world." 
[03:22.88]He said the country has strong building laws, a good earthquake network, and widespread public education campaigns and earthquake safety.
[03:35.96]The government regularly increases the level of quake resistance required of new and existing buildings.
[03:46.27]This increases the costs of a building. 
[03:50.61]But the government offers financial support to people willing to have their buildings examined for quake resistance.
[04:00.45]There has also been punishment for failing to meet requirements. 
[04:07.24]Following a 2016 quake in the southwestern city of Tainan, five people were found guilty of negligence and given prison sentences. 
[04:20.93]The people were involved in building a tall apartment building. 
[04:26.49]But it was the only major structure to collapse in that quake.
[04:32.41]Taiwan also is pushing quake exercises at schools and workplaces. 
[04:39.41]Media regularly carry warnings about earthquakes and safety that go out to cellphones.
[04:47.66]Gao said those measures have helped Taiwan deal with earthquakes and prevent loss of life and damage.
[04:58.03]Taiwan and its surrounding waters have registered about 2,000 earthquakes that measured 4.0 or greater since 1980. 
[05:10.85]And it measured more than 100 earthquakes above 5.5, the USGS found.
[05:19.88]The island's most serious quake in recent memory hit on September 21, 1999.
[05:30.41]The 7.7 magnitude quake caused 2,400 deaths, injured 100,000 and destroyed thousands of buildings.
[05:43.67]Daniel Aldrich teaches political science and public policy at Northeastern University.
[05:53.32]He said it was a major wake-up call that led to important government changes to improve emergency services and disaster reduction.
[06:06.73]As a result, the government passed the Disaster Prevention and Protection Act.
[06:14.40]Taiwan set up two national centers to deal with earthquakes.
[06:20.37]Aldrich said, "I think we're seeing the results in this most recent shock."
[06:28.17]I'm Gregory Stachel.