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國際時事跟讀 Ep.K763: Taiwan's Earthquake Preparedness: A Testament to Resilience
Highlights 主題摘要：
- Taiwan's rigorous earthquake preparedness, including strict building codes and public education campaigns, significantly reduces the impact of seismic events.
- Administrative reforms post-1999 earthquake established national centers dedicated to earthquake coordination and training, enhancing disaster response capabilities.
- Taiwan's resilience extends beyond structural reforms to encompass community unity, international collaboration, and ongoing refinement of earthquake preparedness strategies.
Taiwan, a country frequently shaken by powerful earthquakes, yet remarkably equipped to withstand their impact, faced its most formidable seismic event in a quarter-century on 3rd April. Despite claiming nine lives and injuring hundreds, the island's stringent earthquake preparedness measures have significantly mitigated the devastation typically associated with such calamities, experts contend.
台灣經常受到強烈地震的襲擊，然而其對抗地震的能力卻非常出色，在四月三日遭遇了近25年（四分之一世紀以來）最為嚴重的地震。儘管造成九人死亡，數百人受傷，但專家們認為，島上嚴格的地震防災措施大幅度減輕了此類災害通常造成的破壞。
Situated along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," a zone notorious for seismic activity, Taiwan finds itself inherently vulnerable to earthquakes due to the convergence of the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate. This geological setting predisposes the region to frequent tremors, making robust preparedness imperative.
台灣位於太平洋“火山環帶”上，這是一個以地震活動聞名的地帶，由於菲律賓海板塊和歐亞板塊的匯聚，使得台灣先天容易受到地震影響，這種地質環境導致該地區地震頻繁，因此強大的防災措施顯得格外重要。
The recent earthquake, measuring 7.2 according to Taiwan's seismic agency and 7.4 according to the US Geological Survey, struck near Hualien County, causing substantial damage. However, Taiwan's capital, Taipei, despite feeling strong tremors, sustained only minor losses. This resilience is attributed to Taiwan's advanced earthquake preparedness, characterized by strict building codes, a sophisticated seismological network, and widespread public education campaigns promoting earthquake safety.
根據台灣地震機構的測量，最近的地震震級為7.2級，而美國地質調查局則測出7.4級，該地震發生在花蓮縣附近，造成了巨大的破壞。然而，台灣首都台北市儘管感受到強烈的震動，卻僅受到了輕微的損失。這種韌性歸功於台灣先進的地震防災能力，包括嚴格的建築法規、精密的地震監測網絡以及廣泛的地震安全教育大眾推廣活動。
Following the devastating 1999 earthquake, which claimed thousands of lives and exposed critical deficiencies in emergency response, Taiwan instituted significant administrative reforms. The Disaster Prevention and Protection Act was enacted, establishing national centers dedicated to earthquake coordination and training. These reforms have not only bolstered Taiwan's capacity to respond to seismic events but have also engendered a culture of preparedness among its populace.
1999年的大地震造成了數千人死亡，並暴露了緊急應對方面的重大缺陷。隨後台灣頒布了《災害防救法》，建立了專門負責地震協調和培訓的國家中心。這些改革不僅增強了台灣應對地震事件的能力，而且在民眾之間培養了防災意識。
In essence, Taiwan's journey towards earthquake resilience epitomizes a nation's commitment to learning from past tragedies and implementing proactive measures to safeguard its citizens. Through stringent building regulations, extensive public education initiatives, and comprehensive disaster response mechanisms, Taiwan stands as a testament to resilience in the face of nature's most formidable forces.
本質上來說，台灣在地震防災方面的努力體現了一個國家從過去災難中吸取教訓，並實施積極措施以保護其國民安全的承諾。通過嚴格的建築法規、廣泛的公眾教育和全面的災害應對機制，台灣在面對自然界最強大力量時，表現出頑強的生命力。
Furthermore, Taiwan's resilience is not solely rooted in structural and institutional reforms but also in the resilience of its people. In the aftermath of earthquakes, communities unite to provide support, aid, and comfort to those affected. Moreover, Taiwan's proactive approach extends beyond its borders through international collaborations and knowledge-sharing initiatives, contributing to global efforts in disaster risk reduction.
此外，台灣的韌性不僅根植於結構和制度上的改革，還源於其人民的韌性。在地震之後，社會各界團結起來，為受災戶提供支援、援助和安慰。此外，通過國際合作和知識分享計劃，台灣積極主動的作法已擴展到國外，為全球減少災害風險的努力作出貢獻。
Looking ahead, Taiwan continues to refine its earthquake preparedness strategies, leveraging technological advancements and lessons learned from past events. The island nation recognizes that while earthquakes may be inevitable, the extent of their impact can be mitigated through sustained vigilance, community engagement, and adaptive governance.
展望未來，台灣將利用技術進步和從過去事件吸取的經驗教訓，繼續完善其地震防災策略。島上人們認識到，地震雖然不可避免，但卻可以通過持續的警惕、社區參與和適應性治理來減輕其影響程度。
Taiwan's ability to withstand powerful earthquakes is not merely a product of geographical fortune but a result of deliberate efforts to enhance resilience at all levels of society. As the island nation navigates the seismic challenges of the future, its commitment to preparedness serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for regions prone to similar geological hazards worldwide.
台灣之所以能夠抵禦強烈地震，並不僅僅是地理位置的幸運，而是在社會各個層面上努力不懈提高抗災能力的成果。在這個島國應對未來的地震挑戰時，它對防災的承諾將成為全球各地面臨相似地質災害地區的希望和鼓舞。
Keyword Drills 關鍵字：
- Calamity (Ca-lam-i-ty): Despite claiming nine lives and injuring hundreds, the island's stringent earthquake preparedness measures have significantly mitigated the devastation typically associated with such calamities, experts contend.
- Inherently (In-her-ent-ly): Situated along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," a zone notorious for seismic activity, Taiwan finds itself inherently vulnerable to earthquakes due to the convergence of the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate.
- Resilience (Re-sil-i-ence): Through stringent building regulations, extensive public education initiatives, and comprehensive disaster response mechanisms, Taiwan stands as a testament to resilience in the face of nature's most formidable forces.
- Deficiency (De-fi-cien-cy): Following the devastating 1999 earthquake, which claimed thousands of lives and exposed critical deficiencies in emergency response, Taiwan instituted significant administrative reforms.
- Preparedness (Pre-par-ed-ness): Looking ahead, Taiwan continues to refine its earthquake preparedness strategies, leveraging technological advancements and lessons learned from past events.
Reference article: https://apnews.com/article/taiwan-earthquake-explainer-hualien-8c3de7d63c964ae460424aa7e52581a2