1959 Hengchun earthquake

The earthquake struck the southern tip of Taiwan at 16:57 CST on Saturday 15 August 1959, with an epicentre about 50 kilometres east-southeast of Cape Eluanbi. A tsunami 4 to 5 metres high hit both the southeastern and southwestern coasts of Hengchun. Reported deaths were 16 or 17; the estimates differ.

Origin time (UTC)

1959-08-15T08:57

Magnitude

7.22

Magnitude type

mw

Depth (km)

25

Deaths, as sources state them

16 or 17 (estimates differ)

USGS event page

earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/iscgem882641

Category: Disasters & Incidents

Tags: hengchun, tsunami, pingtung

Coordinates: 22.078, 121.105

Part of Earthquakes of magnitude 7 and above in Taiwan since 1900

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