Magnitude 7.0 quake hits Taiwan, earthquakes also strike Indonesia and South Pacific

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck off the coast of Yilan, Taiwan, late Saturday, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said, while smaller quakes were also reported in Indonesia and the South Pacific Ocean. No immediate damage has been reported.

The Taiwan quake occurred at 11:05 PM local time, with its epicentre at sea about 32.3 km east of Yilan County Hall, at a depth of 72.8 km. Tremors were felt across the island, including the capital Taipei, where buildings shook. One Yilan resident said the quake moved vertically first, then horizontally. Local media footage showed TVs swaying and items falling from supermarket shelves. President William Lai Ching-te urged citizens to remain alert for aftershocks.

Seismologists noted that while strong, this is not the first magnitude‑7 quake in Taiwan . The island, located at the boundary of the Eurasian and Philippine Sea tectonic plates, has a long history of powerful earthquakes, including a 7.3‑magnitude quake in 1999 , a 7.2‑magnitude tremor earlier in 2025 , and historical events in the 1960s and 1800s.

Meanwhile, Northern Sumatra, Indonesia , experienced a magnitude 4.6 earthquake Sunday morning at a depth of 64 km, according to the National Center for Seismology (NCS). This follows earlier tremors in the region, including a 4.4 magnitude quake on Dec 3 and a 4.5 magnitude quake on Nov 26. Indonesia is part of the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” making it prone to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis.

In the South Pacific Ocean , a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck near Puerto Santa, Peru, at 8:21 AM IST, with a depth of 67 km. The US Geological Survey reported the epicentre 36 km west of Puerto Santa, with no immediate reports of damage.

Seismologists continue to monitor all three regions for aftershocks and potential impacts.