1999 Chi Chi Earthquake of Taiwan

摘要

A devastating earthquake, namely, Chi Chi Earthquake (or Ji Ji earthquake in some literatures), with a magnitude of Ms =7.6 (Richter Scale by USGS) or M_L =7.3 by Central Weather Bureau of Taiwan, struck central Taiwan at 01:47 on 21 September, 1999 (17:47, 20 September, UCT). Death toll reached 2,434 and there were 54 persons missing, 723 persons seriously injured and 11,306 sustained minor injury. In addition, there were 51,925 buildings collapsed and 54,402 buildings seriously damaged. Presented herein are structural and geotechnical issues of the earthquake, including damages to bridges and buildings, landslides and liquefaction problems, etc. Also discussed are the recoveries and reconstruction subsequent to the earthquake and the improvement made to the mitigation programs to prepare for future earthquakes.