Two powerful earthquakes rocked Taiwan's east coast early Tuesday local time, one offshore with a magnitude of 6.1 and the other a few minutes later with a magnitude of 6.0 near the city of Hualien, according to the US Geological Survey.
The quakes occurred near an area where at least nine people were killed and hundreds injured as a result of a larger quake that occurred earlier this month.
As seismologists review available data, they may revise the reported magnitude of earthquakes. Additional information collected about the quake may also prompt USGS scientists to update the tremor intensity map.
Aftershocks in the area
An aftershock is usually a smaller earthquake that follows a larger earthquake in the same general area. Aftershocks are usually minor adjustments along a portion of a fault that slipped at the time of the initial earthquake.
Aftershocks can occur days, weeks, or even years after the first earthquake. These events can be equal to or larger in magnitude than the initial earthquake, and can continue to affect already damaged locations.
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