Earthquake Strikes Hualien

Taiwan is an island off the coast of China that is on not one, not two, but three fault lines. On April 2, a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Hualien County on the island’s east coast. The tremors shook the island. In larger cities, windows were shattered, buildings collapsed, and walls caved in. It left cities in piles of rubble and chaos. At least 18 people died. Debris fell from the sky, blocking roads and trails. Many people were stranded, missing, or dead. Emergency volunteers and respondents swiftly moved through areas, helping and assisting the lost and wounded. 

The improved infrastructure led to fewer deaths and destruction. People knew that earthquakes were common so they prepared. Taiwan is located along the "Ring of Fire" of seismic activity. Before this earthquake, another earthquake had struck. On September 21, 1999, the Jiji earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.6, struck Taiwan, leading to 2,400 deaths and over 100,000 injuries. The people of Taiwan have had many earthquakes like this one, but they always bounce back and rebuild. The earthquake was a testament to the people and they responded resiliently. Teams of volunteers and ambulances rushed to clear debris and aid injured and trapped people.

This past year, the world has seen many disasters, from flooding in Kenya and Mongolia to cyclones in Madagascar. Some of these are human-caused, while others are natural, but some are a mix of the two. Many people suffer from natural disasters like typhoons, hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes, with thousands getting wounded or killed due to nature’s fury. These devastate both small towns and massive cities. 

With global warming, some of these catastrophes are getting more common and more sudden. Drought, fires, and floods come with climate change. Rising sea levels and increased wind mean more tropical storms. Pollution, greenhouse gasses, and lots more have led to disasters. 

Now, some of these we have no control over, while others we could work to prevent. Even small things like using reusable or compostable containers may not seem like a large difference, but they add up and could save lives.