What Earthquakes Teach Us: From 311, the Indian Ocean Tsunami, to the Cebu Quake – Taiwan's Unforgettable Memories of the Shaking
Everyone must have felt that shaking late last night, right? Even though it only lasted a few seconds, that sinking feeling in your gut probably stuck with you for the rest of the night. Living in Taiwan, earthquakes are like that old acquaintance who drops by unannounced – except this one's got a bit of a temper, constantly reminding us they're never far away. Over the years, some shakes have been particularly hard to forget.
That Night, Hualien Shook Us All
I remember back in , when that magnitude 5.7 earthquake hit Hualien. The shaking reached an intensity of in some areas, and you could really feel it even in Taipei and New Taipei City. I was watching telly in the lounge when suddenly the whole world started spinning. The pendant light was swinging like a playground swing, and water sloshed half out of my cup onto the table. Looking back at the data, it wasn't the strongest quake we've had, but that sudden jolt was a real wake-up call. It was the first time many of my Taipei friends truly understood, "So this is what people in Hualien deal with all the time." Chatting with locals from Hualien afterwards, I realised they've developed this incredible stoicism. They feel the shake, but life goes on. Still, they never drop their guard.
Japan's 3/11, A Wound That Won't Heal
When you talk about earthquakes, you can't ignore the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. I was in the office that afternoon when a news flash popped up: a massive magnitude 9.0 quake had struck off the coast of northeastern Japan. For the next few hours, TV screens globally showed nothing but those relentless waves swallowing entire towns. Even though we're far away in Taiwan, everyone's heart was aching. Seeing those familiar-looking streets turn into an ocean left a sense of helplessness that's hard to shake even now. That earthquake really sharpened our awareness here in Taiwan: we're all on the Pacific Ring of Fire. You can never say a disaster of that scale couldn't happen on our own doorstep.
The Indian Ocean Tsunami, A Catastrophe of the Century
Take it further back, to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. At a staggering magnitude 9.1, the tsunami it triggered claimed over 200,000 lives. The internet wasn't what it is today, but TV news replayed the footage over and over – the waves slamming into Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka. Those happy holiday beaches turned into infernos in an instant. I remember our office organised a fundraiser, and everyone dug deep without a second thought. That shock hit you right in the core. Even now, watching a documentary about it brings back that knot in your stomach.
The Cebu Earthquake, A Wake-Up Call Right on Our Doorstep
Fast forward to more recent times. The 2025 Cebu earthquake happened in the Philippines, but thanks to social media, the damage was broadcast worldwide instantly. Seeing those centuries-old churches collapse, and the sheer panic on people's faces, really hammered home that earthquakes don't respect borders. Taiwan and the Philippines are both on the same tectonic plate boundary. What happened in Cebu yesterday could easily be our story tomorrow. That event spurred a lot of my mates to properly check their emergency kits, and some even organised groups to learn first aid. The feeling that "the wolf might actually be at the door" felt more real than ever before.
What the Shaking Teaches Us
Going through all these tremors, we've picked up a few lessons. It's clear to anyone that panicking gets you nowhere; being prepared is what counts. Here are a few basic preparedness tips I reckon are essential, just to share:
- Secure your furniture: Big wardrobes, bookcases, tellies – make sure they're fixed to the wall with L-brackets. During a quake, they can be the most dangerous things in the room.
- Get an emergency kit ready: Keep it somewhere easy to grab by the door. At a minimum, it should have water, some snacks, a torch, a battery-powered radio, spare batteries, copies of your ID, and a bit of cash.
- The drill is simple: Drop, Cover, Hold. Protect your head – that's the main thing. Don't worry about opening doors or running outside straight away.
- Check your gas and utilities: If you smell gas after the shaking stops, shut off the main valve immediately and open windows for ventilation. Whatever you do, don't light a match or flick any switches.
- Stick to official info: Download the Central Weather Administration's earthquake alert app to get accurate warnings straight away. Don't get misled by unconfirmed rumours.
Earthquakes are part of life on this island. We can't choose that, but we can choose how we face it. Hopefully, every shake makes us more alert and more united. Next time the ground starts moving, I hope we can all stay steady, and then just check in with each other: "You right?"