Magnitude 6.0 Earthquake Rocks Taiwan’s East Coast
A magnitude 6 earthquake centered 30.8 kilometers east-south-east of Taitung(Taidong) City, Taiwan, awoke residents in Taitung City and County at 11:51pm, October 6, 2016. Residents of Green Island felt it as a magnitude 5, while the rest of Taitung County felt it as a level 4.
The tremblor was felt as far away as Taipei City.
People in Taitung commented on how long the shaking continued. One resident in Taipei, where the earthquake only registered as a level 1, said the shaking lasted as long as 30 seconds.
The earthquake came as torrential rain generated by tropical cyclone Aere poured down on the coastal county. Rock-slides caused by recent hits by multiple typhoons and heavy rainfall have caused havoc in the area. The southern cross-island highway was blocked by a major landslide two days ago, while the mayor of a village in the county was killed by a landslide while inspecting damage yesterday.
On Green Island, which was close to the 20 kilometer-deep epicenter, pictures from the only 24-hour convenience store showed goods shaken from the shelves and collapsed ceiling tiles and ventilation pipes.
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