Strong quake shakes Taiwan, though no damage immediately reported

An earthquake struck Taiwan early Wednesday, activating alarms across the capital, though initial reports indicated no damage.

The tremor registered at a magnitude of 5.8 according to Taiwan's Central Weather Administration, with a brief shake felt in Taipei.

However, the U.S. Geological Survey recorded the quake at a magnitude of 5.0, pinpointing its location approximately 21 kilometers (12 miles) south-southeast of Yilan along the island's northeast coast.

It was situated 69 kilometers (43 miles) beneath the surface. While deeper earthquakes like this one are typically felt over broader areas, they usually inflict less damage compared to shallower ones.

Positioned on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," a path of seismic activity encircling the ocean from Chile to New Zealand, Taiwan frequently experiences earthquakes.

The island's most devastating modern earthquake occurred in 1999—a magnitude 7.7 event that claimed 2,415 lives, caused widespread destruction, and prompted significant enhancements in building regulations, emergency response coordination, and public education on earthquake preparedness.

Earthquake drills are regularly conducted in schools and workplaces, and mobile devices receive alerts following the detection of strong quakes.