Experts advise public to carry whistles amid increasing global seismic activity

Taiwanese earthquake experts have recently advised the public to carry whistles, as a significant earthquake is anticipated to potentially occur in Taiwan in the near future.

Kuo Kai-wen, the former director of the Central Weather Administration (CWA) Seismology Center, indicated that Taiwan experienced a period of five consecutive days without any recorded seismic activity until April 1. 

He explained that the phenomenon may be attributed to either a lack of energy release in the region during that timeframe or to the continuous accumulation of energy underground, which could culminate in a major earthquake upon its release.

Kuo also highlighted that a whistle could help rescuers locate victims faster after a major earthquake, adding that his friend, who was trapped in the Myanmar earthquake, was saved after using a whistle.

Meanwhile, the Central Weather Administration reported a magnitude 4.9 earthquake struck Tainan in southern Taiwan at 11.47am on Thursday.

There have been 10 major earthquakes worldwide, with magnitudes of 6.0 or higher, occurring in the past 10 days. 

Notable events include tremors of magnitudes 7.3 and 6.1 in the Tonga Islands shortly after the Myanmar earthquake, as well as a 6.0-magnitude quake near Japan's Osumi Peninsula on Wednesday.