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CNN.com

Powerful quake strikes off Taiwan

POSTED: 8:29 p.m. EST, December 26, 2006
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A Taiwanese seismologist points to a graphic showing when the earthquake struck.

Story Highlights

• Powerful quake measured at magnitude 7.1 hits off Taiwan
• Philippines raises tsunami alert along coast, but warning is later withdrawn
• Quake strikes on second anniversary of the devastating Asian tsunami
• Tremors cut phone lines in Taiwan and were felt in Hong Kong

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake, which hit at 8:26 p.m. (1226 GMT), registered magnitude 7.1, while Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau measured it at 6.7. It was followed eight minutes later by an aftershock registering 7.0, the USGS said.

Japan's Meteorological Bureau said a one-meter (3.3-foot) tsunami might be headed toward the eastern coast of the Philippines, but later lifted the warning.

The tremor was centered at sea about 23 kilometers (13 miles) southwest of Hengchun on the southern tip of Taiwan, the bureau said. Hengchun is about 450 kilometers (260 miles) south of Taipei.