Quake Rocks Northern Taiwan; Lighter Tremor Felt in Japan
A strong earthquake with a 5.6 magnitude struck northern Taiwan before dawn today, triggering a landslide that blocked the island’s main east coast highway, authorities said. The road was expected to be opened later today.
The one-minute quake, centered nine miles south of the northeastern port of Hualien, caused no other major damage or injuries but rocked tall buildings in major cities, including Taipei, police said.
Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau put the magnitude of today’s quake at 5.6, but Hong Kong’s Royal Observatory earlier estimated it at 6.0.
Also, early this morning, an earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 5.0 shook southern Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, Tokyo’s Meteorological Agency said.
There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.
The agency located the center of the quake some 40 miles beneath Hokkaido’s Hidaka mountain range.
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