This morning, a significant earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale hit off the coast of Hualien, Taiwan, sending tremors across the region, marking the most intense tremor experienced on the island in over 25 years.
The seismic event claimed the life of one individual, left dozens injured, and prompted authorities to issue a tsunami alert for southern Japan and the Philippines, which was subsequently rescinded.
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The impact of this earthquake extends beyond local residents, reaching into Taiwan’s crucial technology industry hubs, particularly in Hsinchu and the Southern Taiwan Science Park. Here’s a detailed report on the earthquake event and the response of relevant tech companies:
Earthquake Details
According to information from the Central Weather Bureau, the earthquake occurred at 7:58 a.m. local time, with the epicenter located 25 kilometers south-southeast of the Hualien County Government. Hualien experienced a maximum intensity of 6 on the Richter scale, while Taichung City and Hsinchu County reached a level of 5. Aftershocks followed, exacerbating the anxiety among local residents.
Impact on the Tech Industry
Taiwan stands as a crucial base for the global semiconductor industry, housing numerous semiconductor foundries, including prominent players like TSMC and UMC. This earthquake directly affected the Hsinchu Science Park and the Southern Taiwan Science Park, both located near the epicenter, consequently impacting semiconductor production in these areas.
Response from UMC
United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) issued a statement confirming that personnel at their facilities in Hsinchu and Southern Taiwan followed evacuation protocols in line with operational standards. All personnel are safe, and the facilities are operating normally, although some machinery has been temporarily halted. Engineering teams are actively assessing damages and working towards resuming operations.
Read More: Five Talks by Morris Chang Charting the Journey of TSMC
Response from Other Tech Companies
Other major semiconductor manufacturers, such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), also reported similar responses. Despite the earthquake, measures were promptly taken to ensure the safety of employees and assess any operational disruptions.
Conclusion
The earthquake off the coast of Hualien, Taiwan, has underscored the vulnerability of the region’s tech industry to natural disasters. While immediate responses from companies like UMC demonstrate preparedness and resilience, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of disaster preparedness measures in safeguarding critical industries against unforeseen disruptions.
