Taiwan’s Building Resilience to Earthquakes: Lessons Learned from a Devastating Disaster

In 1999, Taiwan experienced a devastating earthquake that claimed the lives of over 2,400 people. The country’s construction regulations were prompted to change and focus on building strength against seismic vibrations. The epicenter of the 7.4 magnitude earthquake was located off the coast of Hualien district in the eastern part of Taiwan island. This was the strongest earthquake on the island in 25 years following a devastating 7.6 magnitude earthquake that killed thousands in 1999.

Although high-rise buildings in Taiwan only tilted during the quake, it was recognized as one of the ten most earthquake-prone countries globally. Despite smaller earthquakes with fewer casualties after 1999, authorities learned valuable lessons from the disaster and have since taken measures to prevent damage in future seismic events.

In response to the earthquake, Taiwan introduced new regulations for high-rise building construction, including quality control, earthquake resistance assessment, and building reinforcement measures. The government reclassified earthquake zones with updated data and implemented regulations to strengthen buildings in strong seismic zones. Additionally, a structural reinforcement plan was initiated for vulnerable buildings to enhance their seismic resistance.

Taiwan has made significant technological advancements in earthquake prediction through integrating monitoring equipment with other technology. By developing an automatic system that can determine earthquake location within seconds, it has improved its ability to respond quickly to seismic events and issue warnings to the public. Ongoing research and advancements in seismic monitoring technology continue to make Taiwan a leader in this field globally.

Through a combination of regulations, reinforcement measures, and technological developments, Taiwan is working towards creating a safer environment for its residents in the face of seismic events while minimizing their impact on infrastructure and population health.