Magnitude 7.0 Earthquake Hits Taiwan: TSMC Facilities Briefly Evacuated

A massive tremor has rattled the heart of the world's semiconductor industry. On Dec 27, 2025, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck near Taiwan's northeastern coast, according to the island's weather administration. Though the quake occurred at a depth of 73km, it was felt sharply across the island, swaying skyscrapers in the capital, Taipei.

Tech Hub on High Alert

The stability of the global tech supply chain was briefly called into question as TSMC, the world’s leading chipmaker, initiated evacuation protocols at some of its facilities in the northern Hsinchu Science Park. While the company confirmed that staff have since returned to their posts, the event serves as a stark reminder of the seismic risks facing the world's most critical high-tech manufacturing base.

Damage Assessment and Response

The Taipei city government hasn't reported any major structural collapses, but isolated incidents of gas leaks and water pipe bursts have occurred. In Yilan, more than 3,000 homes temporarily lost power. Meanwhile, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) measured the quake at a slightly lower magnitude of 6.6.

President William Lai Ching-te took to social media to reassure the public that authorities have the situation under control. He urged citizens to stay vigilant as the administration warns of potential aftershocks reaching magnitudes of 5.5 to 6.0 over the coming days. Taiwan remains prone to such events; in April 2024, a 7.4 magnitude quake killed 17 people in the Hualien region.