How did the recent Taiwan earthquake in 2024 compare to the devastating seismic event that occurred in 1999 in terms of magnitude and impact on the region’s infrastructure and population?

The recent Taiwan earthquake in 2024, with a magnitude of 7.2, was a significant seismic event that caused damage to buildings, highways, and infrastructure, resulting in the deaths of four individuals in Hualien County. In terms of magnitude, this earthquake was slightly lower than the devastating seismic event that occurred in 1999, which had a magnitude of 7.6. The 1999 earthquake led to a much higher death toll of 2,400 individuals and widespread destruction, highlighting the severity of that event compared to the recent one in 2024. In terms of impact on infrastructure and population, both earthquakes caused significant damage to buildings and infrastructure, disrupting transportation services and leading to casualties. However, the 1999 earthquake had a more devastating impact on the region's infrastructure and population compared to the recent earthquake in 2024. The recurrence of such powerful earthquakes underscores the seismic vulnerability of the region and emphasizes the importance of robust disaster preparedness and response strategies to mitigate the impact on the population and infrastructure in future seismic events.