Earthquakes in Taiwan — May 2026
9 earthquakes were recorded in Taiwan during May 2026, an average of 0.3 per day.
9 reached magnitude 4 or above and 2 reached magnitude 5 or above. The average focal depth was 34 km.
The month's largest event in Taiwan was a magnitude 5.8 earthquake near Yilan, Taiwan on 01 May 2026 at 12:39 UTC. A magnitude 5.8 earthquake radiates roughly 7,558 tons of TNT equivalent in seismic energy.
That is well above the Taiwan monthly average of 7 events over the period we cover — an unusually active month, and up from the 4 recorded the previous month.
78% of events here are shallow (under 70 km), 22% intermediate (70–300 km) and 0% deep-focus (over 300 km). The mix is dominated by shallow crustal events, with a minority of intermediate-depth activity.
By band, the catalogue holds 7 in the magnitude 4 range, 2 in the magnitude 5 range.
Activity peaked on 20 May, when 2 events were recorded.
The month's largest events were M5.8 near Yilan, Taiwan on 01 May at 97 km; M5.1 near Hualien City, Taiwan on 12 May at 26 km; M4.9 near Hualien City, Taiwan on 20 May at 25 km.
That is 37% above the 7 events Taiwan averages per month across the 21 months on record.
Largest earthquakes in Taiwan, May 2026
9 events listed below, newest first. Times are UTC. Click any column header to re-sort.
| Time (UTC) | Mag | Location | Depth (km) | Country | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.8 | Yilan, Taiwan | 97.3 | Taiwan | View details View | |
| 5.1 | Hualien City, Taiwan | 26.3 | Taiwan | View details View | |
| 4.9 | Hualien City, Taiwan | 24.6 | Taiwan | View details View | |
| 4.7 | Hualien City, Taiwan | 18.2 | Taiwan | View details View | |
| 4.4 | Puli, Taiwan | 10.0 | Taiwan | View details View | |
| 4.4 | Yilan, Taiwan | 10.0 | Taiwan | View details View | |
| 4.3 | Hualien City, Taiwan | 24.6 | Taiwan | View details View | |
| 4.3 | Hualien City, Taiwan | 28.8 | Taiwan | View details View | |
| 4.2 | Yilan, Taiwan | 70.4 | Taiwan | View details View |
Frequently asked questions
How many earthquakes hit Taiwan in May 2026?
9 earthquakes were recorded in Taiwan during May 2026, of which 9 were magnitude 4 or above.
What was the biggest earthquake in Taiwan in May 2026?
A magnitude 5.8 event near Yilan, Taiwan on 01 May 2026.
Other months in Taiwan
Magnitudes for May 2026 reflect the current USGS review status and may have been revised since first publication. See our guides on the magnitude scale, focal depth and why earthquakes cluster.