Hualian Earthquake on 3 April 2024

Hualian earthquake on 3 April 2024

David Hui Tai-wai

A major earthquake with magnitude 7.3 occurred in eastern Taiwan in the morning on 3 April, near the coast of Hualian. It was the strongest earthquake to hit Taiwan since the 1999 Chi-chi earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7. More than a hundred people in Hong Kong reported feeling earth tremors. The local intensity was rated III (Three) on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale.

Tsunami waves were triggered by the major earthquake, and the Observatory issued a Tsunami Information Bulletin about two hours before the tsunami waves would reach Hong Kong, noting that the impact on Hong Kong was expected to be small. To learn more about the Hualian earthquake and its related tsunamis, please refer to the Observatory’s Blog.

The epicentre of the 2024 Hualian earthquake in Taiwan is marked with a red dot.