Story perspectives

Magnitude 5.6 Quake Hits New Taipei, Aftershocks Expected

7/27/2026

Summary

Story summary

A magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck New Taipei, Taiwan, on Sunday.
The epicenter was 35.8 km east-southeast of New Taipei City Hall, 95.7 km deep.
Level 3 shaking was reported in Yilan, New Taipei, Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Hualien, with lower intensities elsewhere.
The Central Weather Administration said the quake originated in the subduction zone where Philippine Sea Plate slides beneath Eurasian Plate.
Officials warned that magnitude 4.5-5 aftershocks could occur over the next week.

History

Historical Context

The September 21 1999 Chi-Chi quake struck central Taiwan with a 7.7 Mw shock, killing 2,415 people and prompting the 2000 Disaster Prevention and Protection Act and stricter building codes. Today a 5.6 Mw tremor beneath the Philippine Sea Plate was felt in New Taipei, Yilan and Hualien, reminding authorities of the subduction-zone risk and the need for continued early-warning upgrades.

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Story summary

A magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck New Taipei, Taiwan, on Sunday.
The epicenter was 35.8 km east-southeast of New Taipei City Hall, 95.7 km deep.
Level 3 shaking was reported in Yilan, New Taipei, Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Hualien, with lower intensities elsewhere.
The Central Weather Administration said the quake originated in the subduction zone where Philippine Sea Plate slides beneath Eurasian Plate.
Officials warned that magnitude 4.5-5 aftershocks could occur over the next week.

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