Author(s)

E. Lekkas

Abstract

The Chi-Chi, Taiwan earthquake occurred on 21 September 1999 and caused extended casualties and property damage. Such an event is a manifestation of the active tectonic deformation in the region, which is the result of the convergence between the Eurasian and the Philippine tectonic plates. The geometrical and kinematic characteristics of the surficial expression of the seismic rupture are in good accordance with the instrumental recordings, which also show that the rupture was a composite one. This paper also addresses the geological site effects that contributed significantly to the damage distribution. The types of damage are presented, classified according to construction type, including large technical works. The causes of damage are then dealt with, together with an account of the spatial distribution of it, which is interpreted to be th

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