The Physical Geography of Eastern Taiwan as a Baseline for Tourism and Earthquake Hazards

The eastern region of Taiwan is underpinned by a complex tectonic setting that forms the basis for numerous landforms, such as the Coast Range, Longitudinal Valley and Central Range, along with a rocky shoreline punctuated by a series of scenic beaches. In many ways, this tectonic setting resembles that of the west coast of North America. Taiwan’s climate ranges from tropical monsoon (Am) with periodic typhoons to temperate and even subalpine climates based on dramatic changes in altitude caused by the tectonic setting. This situation produces a host of different ecological zones based on vertical zonation. The physical setting, along with recent infrastructure improvements, forms a baseline for tourism. Moreover, comprehending the region’s structural geology is crucial for understanding the region’s risk of severe earthquakes, as exemplified by the recent 7.4 magnitude earthquake on April 2, 2024, near the east coast city of Hualien. Our methodology centers on a review of pertinent literature and field reconnaissance conducted in 2014, 2016, 2019, 2020 and 2024.