Lessons from Earthquakes: From the 311 Tohoku Quake and the Indian Ocean Tsunami to the Cebu Tremor, Taiwan's Unforgettable Memories of the Ground Shaking

Everyone probably felt that shaking in the middle of the night, right? Even though it only lasted a few seconds, that sudden jolt to the heart can linger for the rest of the night. Living in Taiwan, earthquakes are like an old acquaintance to us, just one with a bit of a temper, reminding us of its existence every now and then. Over the years, some tremors have left a particularly deep impression that's hard to forget.

That Night, the Shock in Hualien

I remember the earthquake in Hualien, a magnitude 5.7 quake with a maximum intensity of , which was even strongly felt in Taipei and New Taipei City. I was watching TV in the living room when suddenly the room started spinning, the chandelier swung like a pendulum, and water from my cup splashed halfway across the table. Although data later showed it wasn't the strongest, the sheer suddenness of it gave many friends in Taipei their first real taste of "so this is what Hualien residents experience regularly." Later, chatting with locals from Hualien, they've long developed a calmness about it – they just get on with life when it shakes, but without letting their guard down one bit.

Japan's 3/11, An Everlasting Pain

Speaking of earthquakes, you can't not mention the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. That afternoon, I was in the office when a news flash popped up – a massive magnitude 9.0 quake had struck off the coast of northeastern Japan. Over the next few hours, television screens globally were filled with images of the tsunami waves swallowing towns one after another. Although Taiwan is far away, everyone's hearts were clenched. Watching those familiar-looking streets turn into oceans, that feeling of powerlessness is still hard to forget. That disaster also made people in Taiwan more alert: we're also on the Pacific Ring of Fire, and no one can say a catastrophe of that scale could never happen here.

The Indian Ocean Tsunami, A Catastrophe of the Century

Going further back, the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake registered a staggering magnitude 9.1, triggering the Boxing Day tsunami that claimed over 200,000 lives. The internet wasn't as widespread back then, but TV news played the footage of the tsunami striking Thailand, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka over and over again – happy holiday beaches turning into infernos in an instant. I remember my company organised a fundraiser, and everyone donated without a second thought, because the shock hit us right where it mattered. Even now, whenever I see a documentary about it, my heart still clenches.

The Cebu Earthquake, A Wake-Up Call Close to Home

Bringing it closer to the present, the 2025 Cebu earthquake happened in the Philippines, but thanks to social media, the news spread worldwide instantly. Seeing those centuries-old churches collapse and the panicked residents, it really hits home that earthquakes don't respect borders. Taiwan and the Philippines are both on the same tectonic plate boundary; what happened in Cebu today could very well be our reality tomorrow. For a while after that, quite a few friends started seriously checking their emergency kits, and some even organised groups to learn first aid. The awareness that "the big one might actually come" felt stronger than ever before.

What Earthquakes Have Taught Us

Having been through so much ground-shaking, we've learned a few lessons along the way. It's clear to everyone that being prepared is better than panicking. Here are a few basic disaster preparedness tips I consider essential, to share with you all:

• Anchor your furniture: Large wardrobes, bookshelves, and TVs absolutely need to be secured to the wall with L-brackets. During a quake, they can become deadly hazards.
• Prepare an emergency kit: Keep it somewhere easily accessible near your door. At a minimum, it should contain water, dry food/snacks, a torch, a radio, spare batteries, photocopies of your ID, and some cash.
• Remember the three evacuation steps: Drop, cover, and hold on. Protecting your head is the top priority – don't rush to open doors or run outside.
• Check gas and utilities: If you smell gas after the shaking stops, immediately shut off the main valve and open windows for ventilation. Never, ever use an open flame.
• Pay attention to official information: Download the Central Weather Administration's earthquake alert app to get accurate warnings immediately, and don't be misled by unverified rumours.

Earthquakes are part of life on this land. We can't choose that, but we can choose how we respond. Hopefully, each tremor makes us more alert and brings us closer together. Next time the ground starts shaking, I hope we can all stay steady, and then ask each other, "You okay?"