Taiwan was struck by its most powerful earthquake in 25 years on Wednesday morning. While the disaster has damaged a few buildings and highways, the extent of the damage is relatively limited, and foreign media outlets have commented that Taiwan has shown that it is well-equipped to handle earthquakes.
According to a Thursday report from the Associated Press, Taiwan is no stranger to strong earthquakes. However, due to its excellent earthquake preparedness, the losses incurred by this high-tech island nation were relatively small.
Stephen Gao, a seismologist at the Missouri University of Science and Technology, stated that Taiwan’s earthquake readiness is among the most advanced in the world. He mentioned that the country has strict building codes and possesses a world-class seismological network. Additionally, the Taiwanese government has been actively promoting public education and conducting earthquake drills in schools and workplaces. Furthermore, public media and mobile phones regularly issue notifications regarding earthquakes and safety. Gao emphasized that these measures significantly enhance Taiwan’s resilience to disasters.
NBC News also highlighted on Thursday that Taiwan's earthquake readiness is comprehensive, surpassing even some earthquake-prone regions on the U.S. West Coast. Larry Syu-Heng Lai (賴序衡), a Taiwanese postdoctoral researcher at the University of Washington, told NBC News that more than 2,400 people died in the September 21 1999 earthquake, compared to only 9 in the recent one. Lai mentioned that buildings have been built to be more resilient and facilities are more comprehensive. He also noted that it has taken only 25 years for Taiwan to get to where it is today, clearly demonstrating the significant efforts put into earthquake prevention.