No abnormality has been detected in a series of aftershocks following a magnitude 6.4 earthquake that struck the Jiaxian area in southern Taiwan's Kaohsiung County March 4, a seismologist said yesterday.

Kuo Kai-wen, director of the Central Weather Bureau's Seismology Center, made the announcement to calm the anxiety of Jiaxian residents, many of whom were rattled by magnitude 4.1 and 3.7 aftershocks that struck their hometown early yesterday.

Since last week's temblor, more than 300 aftershocks have been recorded, with more than 10 of them measuring over 3 on the Richter scale, according to Seismology Center data.

Kuo said the aftershocks reflected the normal release of energy and were not cause for alarm.

"Hundreds or even thousands of aftershocks can occur after a big earthquake to release energy," Kuo said.

China Daily/CNA

(HK Edition 03/11/2010 page4)