Earthquake in Taiwan: Is Taiwan prone to earthquakes? What exactly is the ring of fire?

Wednesday was not a very favorable day for Taiwan as it injured over 900 people and killed nine in a massive earthquake. The magnitude of the earthquake was 7.4, and it proved to be the strongest ever earthquake that hit the island in the last 25 years. Now, the important question is, what makes Taiwan prone to earthquakes? Let's understand. 

Taiwan and earthquakes 

The U.S. Geological Survey says that Taiwan is situated in a large area of complex tectonics where three major tectonic plates intersect nearby. On the southwest lies the Sunda plate, on the north and west lies the Eurasia plate, and to the east lies the Philippine Sea plate.
It is at this location that earthquakes of moderate and extreme severity are common in Taiwan, as said by the USGS. 

Now, it is important to note that Taiwan is situated in a region that is called the Ring of Fire, also known as the Pacific Ring of Fire. 

What exactly is the Ring of Fire?

The Ring of Fire is actually a zone in the shape of a horseshoe. It is located near the Pacific Ocean. It is a place where most of the earthquakes of the world take place. 

The USGS says that the Ring of Fire is actually the most volcanically and seismically active zone on the planet. 

The region is extended to 25,000 miles and spans over Japan, New Zealand, and even the west coast of Asia, and the west coast of the Americas. 

This place is the most seismically active in the world, with over 81 percent of the largest earthquakes in the world taking place in this region. Additionally, over 75% of all the active volcanoes and 80% of all the tsunamis have taken place in this region. 

Chile is also included in the Ring of Fire zone.

Past earthquakes in Taiwan

It was in the year 1935 when the deadliest earthquake hit the island. The massive earthquake took the lives of more than 3,200 people, as per the Central Weather Administration. The earthquake was of magnitude 7.1. The earthquake injured more than 12,000 people.

Is Taiwan prepared?

Taiwan has been trying hard in the recent years to be prepared for any such calamities. Local authorities in Taiwan have launched campaigns in order to make older buildings in Taiwan fit to bear the consequences of earthquakes. Also, in the year 2018, after an earthquake, the government of Taiwan declared the reviews of about 34,000 buildings, and their owners were compelled to make changes in the buildings to make them more earthquake resistant.