During the past three decades Taiwan has witnessed rapid economic development. The annual investment in major construction projects has totaled more than NT$10,000 million. However, being located on the earthquake belt in western Pacific, Taiwan is subject to frequent tremors. The National Science Council recognized the importance of seismic research in preventing and reducing earthquake damages. In 1969 the Council invited Dr. Ta-liang Teng, a Chinese seismologist in the United States, to draw up a long-term earthquake research program for Taiwan. In 1972 the Chinese Earthquake Research Center was established to carry out a ten-year program. The Center is now under the Institute of Physics, Academia Sinica. At present, an islandwide telemetered seismograph system is in operation. In addition, portable seismographs also are employed to form temporary local networks for detailed mapping of active faults by microearthquakes.
Premier Chiang Ching-kuo received the Chinese Olympic athletes at Kaohsiung on July 22. He praised the athletes for their efforts in upholding the national dignity. Premier Chiang said, "What you have fought for is the official title of our country, our national anthem and national flag. They are the three aspects of a nation and are inseparable. They are the fruits of the blood and sweat of our revolutionary martyrs and tens of millions of our fellow countrymen. They are not to be lightly given up or to be insulted."
Field geological observations
Earthquake epicenters in Taiwan during 1975
Field house of the Seismic Research Observatory
Earthquake data processing
Discovery of an active fault in the Ilan area