Taiwan Meteorological Department: Hualien 6.9 earthquake is the main shock and the largest earthquake this year

　　China News Service, September 18. According to Taiwan's "Central News Agency", a magnitude 6.9 earthquake occurred in Hualien County, Taiwan at 14:44 on the 18th.

Chen Guochang, director of the Earthquake Prediction Center of the Taiwan Meteorological Department, said that this earthquake was the main shock and the largest this year. It is predicted that the following aftershocks will not be as dense and large as before.

A building collapsed in Yuli Township, Hualien.

Image source: Taiwan "Central News Agency"

　　Chen Guochang said that the magnitude 6.9 earthquake was the main shock, including the magnitude 6.5 earthquake on the evening of the 17th and the earthquake that was originally predicted to be an aftershock.

　　Chen Guochang pointed out that the magnitude 6.9 earthquake was the largest earthquake this year.

Chen Guochang explained that there is no way to predict earthquakes. He can only speculate theoretically that the energy released by aftershocks after the main shock will be smaller. According to his own estimation, the next one will not be as dense as the foreshock, nor will it be larger than the foreshock. Level 5 is much more.

　　Chen Guochang pointed out that compared with the 2018 Hualien Milun Fault Earthquake, today's magnitude 6.9 earthquake, whether it is foreshock or aftershock, is not large in scope. The observation from the 17th to the 18th is mainly because the earthquake was caused by the side of the mountain. There are not many structures; while the 2018 Hualien Milun earthquake was a broken zone earthquake, when aftershocks induced one structure from another, from the sea to the land, from north to south, the time dragged for a very long time.

　　In addition, Chen Guochang said that after the magnitude 6.5 earthquake yesterday (17th), the energy released has not been able to balance. It is estimated that it will be more balanced after today's magnitude 6.9 main shock, and the energy should decay soon.

　　As for the release of disaster prevention warning messages, Chen Guochang mentioned that most of them have received text messages before the arrival of the earthquake shock wave. These large earthquakes have been released, especially in the area south of Chiayi, where there are 8 counties The city received it about 10 seconds before the earthquake.