Introduction
On June 11, 2025, a powerful 6.4 Quake magnitude earthquake rattled eastern Taiwan, sending tremors across the island and raising concerns about the stability of its critical semiconductor industry. Despite the quake’s strength and widespread impact,
Taiwan’s leading chip manufacturers, TSMC and UMC, quickly confirmed that their operations remain unaffected. This reassuring update highlights the resilience of Taiwan’s semiconductor infrastructure, a vital pillar in the global technology supply chain.
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Overview – Key Takeaways
Magnitude 6.4 quake struck off eastern Taiwan on June 11, 2025.
TSMC and UMC reported no disruptions across fabrication plants.
Facilities in Hsinchu, Tainan, Taichung, and Kaohsiung continue operations.
No damage to Taiwan’s power grid, critical for semiconductor manufacturing.
Earlier January 2025 quake caused TSMC a $177 million loss; lessons applied.
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Taiwan’s Earthquake: A Wake-Up Call for Tech Supply Chains
At 7:00 p.m. local time on June 11, 2025, a magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck off the coast of Hualien County, eastern Taiwan. While the tremor sent shockwaves through several cities, Taiwan’s top semiconductor companies—TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.) and UMC (United Microelectronics Corporation)—confirmed that their chipmaking operations remain fully functional.
This news calmed investor nerves and reassured global tech clients relying on Taiwan’s critical role in the semiconductor value chain.
Epicenter and Intensity Map
According to Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration (CWA), the quake’s epicenter was located 69.9 km south of Hualien County Hall, with a depth of 30.9 km. Here’s a snapshot of the affected regions:
| Region | Intensity (on Taiwan’s 7-tier scale) |
|---|---|
| Changbin, Taitung | 5 |
| Hualien, Nantou, etc. | 4 |
| Taipei, Tainan, Kaohsiung | 3 |
The highest intensity was recorded in Changbin, Taitung County. However, the tremor was not strong enough to trigger evacuation protocols at chipmaking plants.
TSMC: No Evacuation, No Downtime
TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker, said its fabs in Hsinchu, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung all continued normal operations.
These fabs manufacture chips used by Apple, NVIDIA, AMD, and countless global firms. TSMC confirmed that no facility recorded vibration levels that met their safety thresholds for shutdown.
“Our operations remain stable. No impact was observed across all production lines,” a company spokesperson stated on Wednesday night.
UMC: Mature Node Production Unaffected
UMC, which focuses on mature process nodes (28nm and above), also confirmed that its fabs in Hsinchu and Tainan saw no interruption or physical damage. These fabs supply crucial components to automotive, industrial, and consumer electronics sectors.
UMC’s stable performance underscores the resilience of Taiwan’s semiconductor infrastructure in the face of natural disasters.
Taiwan Power Grid Holds Firm
Another critical factor: Taiwan Power Co. (Taipower) reported zero damage or outages to the island’s power grid. For semiconductor production, uninterrupted electricity is essential—fabs must operate in tightly controlled environments 24/7.
This grid stability meant chipmakers did not face voltage dips, downtime, or requalification delays.
January 2025: When Things Went Wrong
The tech sector still remembers the January 21, 2025 quake. That tremor, also a magnitude 6.4, disrupted TSMC’s operations in Southern Taiwan Science Park, home to its advanced 3nm chip production.
That single event forced evacuations and temporary halts, leading to losses of NT$5.3 billion (US$177 million). The company has since improved safety protocols and enhanced vibration monitoring at all facilities.
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Why It Matters for the World
Taiwan plays a critical role in the global semiconductor supply chain, especially for advanced nodes below 7nm. TSMC alone accounts for over 60% of global foundry revenue, with a near-monopoly on cutting-edge chips.
Even brief disruptions can ripple through the supply chains of smartphones, AI servers, EVs, and military systems.
This latest quake, while severe, proves that Taiwan’s semiconductor ecosystem is more resilient than before.
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Conclusion : Strong Quake, Stronger Foundries
The June 11 6.4 quake reminds us of Taiwan’s geological risks—but also its engineering strength. TSMC and UMC, backed by robust planning and infrastructure, continue to deliver chips without pause.
For now, chip supply remains safe, and tech companies around the world can breathe a little easier.
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