earthquakes shake southern Taiwan, testing TSMC resilience
Tainan, Monday, 27 January 2025.
A series of strong earthquakes hit southern Taiwan, targeting the region’s vital semiconductor facilities, including TSMC’s wafer plants 14 and 18. Despite fears of operational disruptions, TSMC has assured that their production capabilities remain largely unaffected. This development follows a chain of over 28 earthquakes, exceeding magnitude 4, that have put a spotlight on the resilience of Taiwan’s high-tech industry. TSMC’s statement aims to calm investor concerns over potential impacts on their operational and stock performance. The company emphasized that no significant damage occurred to the construction work sites, maintaining that operations at the affected facilities will continue smoothly. While some temporary evacuations were carried out for safety, these measures did not lead to a notable halt in production, demonstrating TSMC’s preparedness in handling natural disasters.
Recent seismic activity details
Southern Taiwan experienced intense seismic activity with a magnitude 5.7 earthquake striking early on January 26, 2025, at 7:38 AM, with its epicenter just 8.1 kilometers deep near Tainan [1][3]. This followed a series of significant tremors, with the region recording 28 earthquakes above magnitude 4 within six days after the initial Chiayi Dapu earthquake on January 21 [1].
Impact on TSMC operations
The earthquakes affected TSMC’s Fab 14 and Fab 18 facilities in the Southern Taiwan Science Park, leading to reports of wafer damage and equipment displacement [1]. TSMC implemented safety protocols, including clean room evacuations, but managed to resume operations within one hour after safety inspections [3][4]. The company restored most of its production capacity by January 23 [5].
Expert analysis of impact
Industry experts from the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research note that Taiwan’s semiconductor facilities are built with advanced earthquake resistance systems [1]. TrendForce analyst Lin Wei-zhi explains that while automated production lines may experience some disruption, the damage is typically minimal and can be corrected through recalibration procedures [1]. Customers generally understand these natural disaster risks [1].
TSMC’s response and outlook
TSMC maintains a confident stance, stating that the earthquakes will not significantly impact operations at their Hsinchu, Central, and Southern Taiwan facilities [5]. The company’s quick recovery and transparent communication demonstrate their robust disaster response protocols [3]. Their statement emphasizes the limited nature of the disruption, helping to reassure stakeholders about operational stability [4].