The first earthquake, measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale, hit at 8:20 pm (1220 GMT) with an epicenter 11.9 kilometers (7 miles) southeast of Yuli in eastern Taiwan's Hualien County, originating 40 kilometers underground, according to the Seismology Center.

A second one with a magnitude of 5.0 followed at 8:43 pm, with an epicenter 17.4 kilometers east of Nanao in northeastern Ilan County, 61 kilometers below sea level.

Taiwan, lying near the junction of two tectonic plates, is prone to earthquakes.

A powerful quake with a magnitude of 6.6 shook Taiwan on December 10 last year but caused only minor injuries and damage in some southern cities.

The island suffered its worst quake in a century on September 21, 1999, when one measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale struck central Taiwan leaving 2,400 people dead.

TERRA.WIRE