Taiwan Earthquake

Question : Discuss the recent earthquake in Taiwan and its causes. Explain the geological factors contributing to earthquakes in Taiwan, considering its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Background

• Taiwan recently experienced its strongest earthquake in nearly 25 years, measuring 7.2 magnitude.

Cause of Earthquakes in Taiwan

• Location: Lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone of frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
• Tectonic Plates: Interaction between Philippine Sea Plate and Eurasian Plate causes pressure buildup, leading to sudden releases as earthquakes.
• Historical Earthquakes: Records go back to 1624.

Understanding Earthquakes

• Natural Event: Caused by energy release, generating waves traveling in all directions.
• Faults: Energy release occurs along these breaks in the Earth’s crust where rocks move in opposite directions.
• Focus/Hypocenter: Point within the Earth where energy is released.
• Epicenter: Point on the surface directly above the focus, experiencing waves first.

Measuring Earthquakes

• Seismographic Networks: Networks of seismic stations measure earthquakes.
• Richter Scale: Measures earthquake magnitude based on wave amplitude, reflecting energy released.

Types of Seismic Waves

• Body Waves (Travel through Earth’s interior)
  • Primary Waves (P-Waves): Fastest, travel through all mediums (solids, liquids, gases).
  • Secondary Waves (S-Waves): Travel only through solids, slower than P-Waves.
• Surface Waves (Generated by body waves interacting with surface rocks)
  • Love Waves: Transverse waves with particle movement perpendicular to wave propagation.
  • Rayleigh Waves: Similar to rolling ocean waves, slowest seismic waves.

Pacific Ring of Fire

• Highly active seismic and volcanic zone.
• Movement of Tectonic Plates: Primary cause of activity.
• Subduction Zones: Convergent plate boundaries where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are common.

Socio-Environmental Consequences of Earthquakes

• Fear and Panic: Suddenness and scale of earthquakes can cause widespread fear.
• Destruction and Loss: Earthquakes can damage infrastructure, buildings, and transportation networks.
• Socioeconomic Impacts: Loss of homes, livelihoods, and cultural heritage.
• Increased Pressure on Developing Countries: Rebuilding efforts strain economies.