January 8, 1661 Earthquake: Tainan, Taiwan

Reference #3939

1661, February 15. Near Tainan, Taiwan Province, 23 N, 120.2 E, magnitude 6, intensity VII-VIII. At Anping, 23 houses collapsed, many firm buildings were also destroyed. The city wall of "Haidi" cracked at several places. The church at Shanhua built with bamboo collapsed. Ships in the harbour almost capsized. Sea water was turbulent. Flssures occurred at several places, especially in hilly regions. The death toll was considerable. Residents fled into the mountains.

Shocks lasted for 6 weeks (others said 6 days).

Reference #414

1661 (mistakenly 1660) January 8 or 9. There was a very strong earthquake on Taiwan Island. "All the mountains collapsed ." Thirty-one homes collapsed at T'ainan. The thick walls of the Zelandia fort (Anpin) cracked at several places and collapsed here and there. Three ships in the port spun in an unusual way. A flood tide from the sea rose so high that it looked like a mountain. It seemed as if it would flood the island completely. Underground shocks, gradually abating, continued for another six weeks.

Reference #150

1661, January 8 or 9. SW Taiwan, 23 N, 120.1 E, magnitude 6.4, Anpin tsunami.

Reference #79

1661, January 8 or 9. Taiwan. Sea violently agitated, ships dashed about. Perhaps a sea quake.

Reference #10200

Magnitude 6.5. Two pieces of western material, written in German and Dutch, respectively, described the event in greater but inconsistent detail. The Dutch report stated that the earthquake occurred on 15 February and lasted for 6 days. It did not mention any observations of the sea. The German report stated that the earthquake was somewhere in January and lasted for 6 months. Three ships entering the harbour were severely shaken and one nearly sunk.

Reference #1052 & 549

1661, Feb 15. 23 N 120.2 E, magnitude 6, intensity 7.5