Taiwan's earthquake resilience comes from experience --- TAIWAN NEWS ---Kelvin Chen

Taiwan has honed quake response due to location along 'Ring of Fire' TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Following the massive 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck Hualien on Wednesday (April 3), Taiwan’s decades of quake preparation and awareness have proven evident. Due to its location along the “Ring of Fire,” Taiwan sees multiple earthquakes every year stemming from tectonic activity between the Philippine Plate and the Eurasian Plate. Thus, it has learned from experience how to best prepare and respond to earthquakes. “Taiwan’s earthquake preparedness is among the most advanced in the world,” Stephen Gao, a seismologist and professor at Missouri University of Science and Technology, told AP. “The island has implemented strict building codes, a world-class seismological network, and widespread public education campaigns on earthquake safety," he said. Taiwan constantly revises quake resistance standards for new and existing buildings and offers subsidies to residents who volunteer to check their buildings’ quake resistance, per AP. The nation is also promoting more earthquake drills at schools and workplaces while ensuring the public regularly receives quake alerts and safety measures. “These measures have significantly enhanced Taiwan’s resilience to earthquakes, helping to mitigate the potential for catastrophic damage and loss of life,” Gao said. Taiwan’s worst quake in 30 years occurred on Sept. 21, 1999. It had a magnitude of 7.7, killed 2,400 people, and left thousands of buildings in ruins. Daniel Aldrich, professor of political science and public policy at Northeastern University, said the quake was a wake-up call that led to major reforms to improve emergency response and disaster reduction. “Observers strongly criticized Taiwan’s response to the 21 September 1999 earthquake, arguing that it took hours for emergency medical response teams to arrive, that rescuers lacked training, and that the operations between government agencies were not well coordinated,” Aldrich said. Taiwan later passed the Disaster Prevention and Protection Act and established two national centers to handle coordination and training for earthquakes. Wednesday’s earthquake has left nine dead, 1,038 injured, 96 trapped, and 52 missing. Rescue crews are working to free people trapped by the earthquake and resulting landslides.

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