Taiwan Suffered 'Reduced Damages' From The Earthquake Thanks To Advanced Tech And Infrastructures

By Thea Felicity

Apr 03 2024, 12:51 PM EDT

Taiwan's advanced technology and recent improvements to its buildings proved to be instrumental in lessening the earthquake's impact on Apr. 3, per The Straits Times.

Unfortunately, the earthquake still caused damages. Reuters reported that it led to at least nine deaths and over 800 injuries. It is considered the most severe earthquake experienced by the island in twenty-five years, registering a magnitude of 7.4.

How Taiwan's Advanced Technology and Improved Buildings Lessened The Impact

The devastation was particularly felt in Hualien county, with numerous buildings destroyed, and the tremors felt as far as Taipei.

Interestingly-the overall toll from the recent earthquake appears to be lower compared to previous seismic events in Taiwan. Specifically, the earthquake in 2016 resulted in over 100 fatalities, while the disaster in 1999 led to more than 2,400 casualties.

Now, technology has played an important role in disaster mitigation efforts. As we know, the island's proficiency in manufacturing laptops, motherboards, and network devices positions it as a key player in the global market. However, chipmakers like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) and United Microelectronics Corp promptly halted operations and evacuated staff as a precautionary measure during the quake.

Taiwan's ability to withstand earthquakes is primarily due to its proactive approach following past seismic events. After the 1999 earthquake, Taiwan implemented updated building codes and embraced technological advancements. Despite more than 300,000 households experiencing initial electricity loss, the island's power company swiftly restored power to most affected areas within two hours.

These measures helped minimize casualties during the recent earthquake, demonstrating a heightened level of preparedness, considering Taiwan's location in one of the most seismically active regions globally.

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen has declared an emergency response office and has deployed military support to affected areas. Efforts are ongoing to rescue trapped residents, particularly in severely damaged regions like Hualien.