The epicenter of the quake was located about 30.1 kilometers southeast of Orchid Island, southeast of Taiwan, and at a depth of 12 kilometers beneath the surface of the sea.

Seismologists said earthquakes have become more frequent since early this year, with the number of temblors so far this year already the second highest in nine years.

The highest number of temblors occurred in 1999 after a magnitude 7.3 temblor struck central Taiwan on Sept. 21 of that year, leaving 2,415 people dead and more than 10,000 others injured.

Seismologists said that although the frequent quakes are a normal sign of "energy releases" in eastern and central Taiwan, it?s worth noting that seven temblors of magnitude 5.5 or greater have occurred in the Taiwan area since Sept. 1, a relatively high number as compared with previous years.

(Xinhua News Agency September 18, 2002)