My Crazy College Life

Taipei 101’s Damper Prevented Rocking in 6.8 Earthquake


On September 19, 2022 Taiwan was hit by a 6.8 magnitude earthquake with a center around the southeastern part of Taiwan.  A couple buildings collapsed trapping a few people inside, 6 train cars derailed, and many people were trapped in the mountains because of blocked roads.  Only 146 people were injured and 1 person died.  This earthquake was felt all across Taiwan including their capital city Taipei.  

            The Taipei 101 was the tallest tower until 2010 when Burj Khalifa was built.  Inside Taipei 101 there is a big yellow steel ball that measures 5.5 meters across and weighs 660 tons, its called the Tuned Mass Damper.  The damper is used to help the tower withstand strong forces like heavy winds and earthquakes.  The damper is suspended between the 87th and 92nd floors.  During the earthquake back in September the Damper was moving back and forth to stop the shaking of the building.  It is said to have moved 20cm (8in) but it can not be confirmed since Taipei 101 no longer publishes the Dampers movement data.

Source:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnSh8C40i1s

https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4662145

https://www.vice.com/en/article/akej4g/watch-taiwan-660-ton-skyscraper-damper-magnitude-69-earthquake-taipei-101

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/powerful-earthquake-hits-southeast-taiwan-2022-09-18/

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We are a rogue collective of bird watchers. We’ve been known to sneak through fences, climb perimeter walls, and generally trespass in order to observe the rarest of birds.


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