The Tectonic Context

Taiwan exists because of a collision. The island sits at the convergence of the Eurasian Plate and the Philippine Sea Plate, two massive tectonic plates that have been grinding together for approximately five million years. This ongoing collision creates the mountain ranges that dominate Taiwan’s topography and makes the island one of the fastest-rising landmasses on Earth: some areas uplift by several centimetres annually.

This tectonic activity also makes Taiwan seismically active. Earthquakes are frequent, and whilst most are minor, they serve as constant reminders of the dynamic forces beneath your feet. The same forces that create Taiwan’s dramatic scenery also shape its geology in real-time, making it a relatively young and constantly evolving landscape.