I hope all Dopers in the area are OK.
Tsunami warnings have also reached some of the Okinawa islands in Japan.
The “Ring of Fire” strikes again. Millions of people live in this, the most geologically active area of our planet. It’s surprising that more people haven’t been killed from earthquakes and volcanoes on both sides of the Pacific Ocean.
Viral Video: Man Remains Calm In Swimming Pool Amid Taiwan Quake (msn.com)
some videos from taiwan. seriously strong quake.
So, was there a tsunami?
None of the monitoring systems seem to have issued a firm warning. Everything I’ve seen, from both the US and Japanese tsunami warning centers, still speak of “possible”.
Yes, but it was “Spinal Tap” - sized.
Reported to be around 11 inches (" not ') in Japan.
Fortunately, my wife’s family and our friends are all right.
The epicenter was near Hualien, one of the most beautiful locations in Taiwan. We lived in Yilan, to the north of there.
There are a couple of ways to Hualien, including the famous / infamous Suhua Highway.
In the last few years, they have opened some new routes, including long tunnels. Unfortunately, these are the tunnels that many people have gotten trapped into.
My son’s former class is scheduled to have a week-long bike ride what was scheduled to go through the area. After questions if the trek were going to be post posted or cancelled, it was decided to go ahead with alternative routes as necessary.
My son and wife are participating and they left today to return to Taiwan.
There is an island off the coast of Yilan called Turtle Island for the obvious resemblance.
Part of the cliff that forms the head has fallen down, although fortunately it still retains the turtle shape.
Reports say that three of the people who died were climbing in the beautiful Taroko Gorge, with its acrophobia-inducing trails wandering along the face of cliffs.
Fortunately, the resulting tsunami wasn’t that high and caused no damage or injury.
I was in Taiwan during the 1999 quake, which killed 2,400 (but also was about one-third stronger, I believe.) That one led to further changes in building codes; so it looks much better in comparison now that this quake will lead to a far smaller casualty toll. One factor in some previous building issues in Taiwan was that when the Chinese Nationalists (KMT) retreated from China to Taiwan, they didn’t intend to remain in Taiwan long, so some buildings were shoddily erected. Not sure if that was a factor here, but it looks not.