HUALIEN CITY, Hualien County — A 5.2 magnitude quake occurred close to Hualien City on Saturday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

At 17:14 UTC (01:14 local time), a tremor hit the region at a depth of 37 km, with its epicenter approximately 4 km north-northeast of Hualien City. Seismologists first reported it as a 5.5 event, but later downgraded it to 5.2.

Did you feel it?

If you felt the earthquake, you can report it through the USGS Felt Report form. The agency has received 37 responses on its online form so far, from people saying they experienced moderate shaking. Residents reported feeling the quake in a number of cities, such as Hsichih, Yungho, Taichung, Lotung and Hualian according to the USGS DYFI report.

Impact and estimated losses

The USGS categorized this as a Green Alert, which means there is a low likelihood of casualties and damage. Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides that might have contributed to losses.

Structure information summary
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are resistant to earthquake shaking, though vulnerable structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are heavy wood frame and reinforced/confined masonry construction.

Source: The U.S. Geological Survey