Amidst disaster, media often fixates on dramatic destruction, skewing the true extent of impact. In Hualien, while cameras focus on a precarious 10-story building, most of the city remains unaffected. Streets bustle with normalcy, prompting inquiry into Taiwan’s remarkable resilience.
Comparisons with past earthquakes reveal stark differences. Despite similar magnitudes, Taiwan averted widespread devastation seen in Turkey and Syria or Christchurch’s near-total destruction in 2011. The turning point was the 1999 Chi Chi earthquake, which spurred introspection.
Witnessing the aftermath firsthand, flaws in building design became apparent. Newly constructed buildings crumbled due to inadequate pillars and steel reinforcement. Past scandals underscored systemic issues like the use of subpar materials for cost-cutting. However, reforms followed Chi Chi, mandating stricter building codes for enhanced earthquake resistance.