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國際時事跟讀 Ep. L124: Deep 7.0 Quake: Why Taiwan Escaped a Major Disaster

Highlights 主題摘要

• A magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit off Yilan Saturday, but its 73-kilometer depth buffered the surface impact.
• While intense shaking lasted twenty seconds, major tech hubs like TSMC reported no damage and resumed operations.
• Authorities warn that aftershocks up to magnitude 6.0 are possible, urging the public to stay prepared.

On Saturday evening at 11:05 PM, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck approximately 32 kilometers off the northeastern coast of Yilan, sending strong tremors throughout Taiwan. According to the Central Weather Administration, the earthquake's hypocenter was situated at a significant depth of 73 kilometers. While the intense shaking lasted for twenty seconds in urban centers like Taipei, initial assessments suggested that the island fortunately escaped a catastrophic outcome despite the widespread panic and disrupted sleep across northern administrative regions.

週六晚間 11 時 05 分，宜蘭東北部海域約 32 公里處發生了規模 7.0 強震，強烈震感籠罩全台。根據中央氣象署資料，該地震的「震源」位於海平面下 73 公里的深處。台北等城市中心經歷了長達 20 秒的劇烈搖晃，但初步評估顯示，儘管北部各行政區出現廣泛恐慌並驚醒許多民眾，台灣仍慶幸地避開了災難性的後果。

This technical distinction explains why northern cities managed to avoid severe structural failure. seismologists noted that the intense friction was generated deep within the crust rather than near the surface. This occurred because the event was located within a subduction zone. In this region, the Philippine Sea Plate slides northward beneath the Eurasian Plate at a considerable depth. Much of the seismic energy dispersed before reaching major population centers, keeping the "peak ground acceleration" within manageable limits.

這項技術差異解釋了為何北部城市避開了嚴重的「結構性」損害。地震學家指出，強烈的板塊「摩擦」發生在地殼深處而非地表附近。這是因為該地震位於「隱沒」帶內，在此區域，菲律賓海板塊在相當深的地方向北滑入歐亞板塊下方。大部分地震能量在到達主要人口中心前就已分散，使「地動加速度」維持在可控範圍內。

Despite the lack of major casualties, minor incidents were reported across northern industrial hubs. In the Hsinchu Science Park, high-tech facilities including TSMC initiated precautionary evacuations of cleanroom staff, although employees returned shortly after safety inspections were completed. Meanwhile, Taoyuan International Airport dealt with falling ceiling debris that slightly injured two passengers. Additionally, a fault at a substation in Yilan caused a temporary blackout for over 3,000 households, while emergency crews worked through the night to resolve every reported elevator malfunction.

儘管沒有重大傷亡，北部工業重鎮仍傳出幾起輕微事故。在新竹科學園區，包括台積電在內的高科技廠房啟動了無塵室員工的預防性疏散，不過員工在完成安全檢查後隨即返回崗位。同時，桃園國際機場處理了天花板碎片掉落導致兩名旅客受輕傷的事件。此外，宜蘭一處變電所故障導致 3,000 多戶家庭暫時停電，緊急應變小組則連夜修復了每一件通報的電梯「故障」。

President Lai Ching-te addressed the nation via social media, confirming that authorities are closely monitoring critical infrastructure and the situation is under control. He reminded citizens that Taiwan remains prone to seismic activity due to its location at the junction of two tectonic plates. Looking ahead, experts warn that moderate aftershocks ranging from magnitude 5.5 to 6.0 are likely throughout the coming week. While rigorous building codes once again proved their value, the government urges the population to remain vigilant for potential secondary tremors.

賴清德總統透過社群媒體向全國發表談話，確認當局正嚴密監控關鍵基礎設施，局勢已在掌控中。他提醒國民，由於台灣位於兩大板塊交界處，天生容易發生地震活動。展望未來，專家警告未來一週內很可能發生規模 5.5 到 6.0 的中度餘震。雖然嚴格的建築規範再次證明了其價值，政府仍敦促民眾對潛在的二次震動保持警覺。

Keyword Drills 關鍵字

1. Hypocenter [noun, the point of origin of an earthquake]: The earthquake's Hypocenter was situated at a significant depth of 73 kilometers.
2. Structural [adjective, relating to the arrangement of parts in a building]: This technical distinction explains why northern cities managed to avoid severe Structural failure.
3. Friction [noun, resistance encountered when one surface moves over another]: Seismologists noted that the intense Friction was generated deep within the crust rather than near the surface.
4. Subduction [noun, the process of one tectonic plate sliding under another]: This occurred because the event was located within a Subduction zone.
5. Malfunction [noun, a failure to function in a normal or satisfactory manner]: Emergency crews worked through the night to resolve every reported elevator Malfunction.

Reference article:

1. https://edition.cnn.com/2025/12/27/asia/taiwan-earthquake-tremors-intl-latam

2. https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2025/12/29/2003849671