Strong earthquake rocks eastern Taiwan

October 4th, 2009 - 10:40 am ICT by BNO News  

HUA-LIEN, TAIWAN (BNO NEWS) – A strong earthquake struck just off Taiwan’s eastern coast on Sunday morning, officials said. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

The earthquake, which struck about 18 miles south of Hua-lien, had a preliminary magnitude of 6.3, according to the country’s Central Weather Bureau. It struck about 9 miles deep, making it a very shallow earthquake. Shallow earthquakes often tend to cause more damage, and increase the risk of a tsunami when it strikes at sea.

There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties following the tremor, which occurred at 01.36 a.m. Sunday local time, and no tsunami warnings were issued because the quake was located too far inland to have any tsunami potential.

Light shaking was reported in the country’s capital, Taipei. According to the Central Weather Bureau, the largest local intensity observed was in Haulien County with a 5.0 magnitude.

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