The tremor rocked the island at 8:03 am (0003 GMT) from an epicenter 62.7 kilometers (38.9 miles) east of Taiwan's northern Keelung, shaking buildings, the seismologists said.

But since the quake originated from 173.6 kilometers under the sea, its destructive force was greatly reduced, they added.

"The tremor was a normal release of energy. Although its power was equivalent to eight atomic bombs, we do not expect serious damage because of its depth," said Kuo Kai-wen, chief of the Seismology Center.

The quake was felt all over the island and shook buildings in northern Taiwan when people were getting ready for school and work.

Seven earthquakes measuring six or stronger, all originating from east Taiwan, have hit the island this year.

A quake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale on March 31 killed five people and an aftershock on May 15, with a magnitude of 6.2, left a three-month-old boy dead.

The island suffered a killer earthquake on September 21, 1999 when one measuring 7.6 devastated central Taiwan, leaving some 2,400 people dead and 100,000 homeless.

hhy/hw Nampa-AFP WEB story ENDS (NAMPA 160222)

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