Taiwan was hit this week by one of its strongest earthquakes in years, yet the country’s most strategically important industry appears to have taken the shock in stride. Despite the tremor forcing evacuations at several facilities, TSMC says its chip production lines have resumed normal operations, underscoring how seriously the firm treats disaster preparedness.
The earthquake, measured at magnitude 7.0 with a depth of roughly 73 kilometers, was felt across large parts of the island. Authorities rated its intensity at level 4, strong enough to trigger automatic safety protocols at industrial sites. At TSMC’s fabs in the Hsinchu Science Park, employees were temporarily evacuated as a precaution. According to statements given to local media, emergency procedures were activated immediately and no injuries were reported.
Crucially for the global technology sector, the company says its manufacturing capacity was restored within around ten hours. As of the latest update, roughly 70 percent of fab equipment is operational, with the remainder returning to service as inspections are completed. TSMC added that no structural damage has been detected so far and that all plants are now running at full or near full capacity.
Earthquakes are not a theoretical risk for Taiwan’s semiconductor industry. The island sits on an active seismic zone, and past events have caused real financial damage. In April 2024, a major quake led to losses of more than $90 million for TSMC due to scrapped wafers. In the first quarter of 2025, earthquake related disruptions reportedly resulted in a further $162 million hit. Those incidents appear to have driven major investments in resilience, from vibration tolerant tools to rapid shutdown and restart procedures.
That focus is critical because TSMC’s fabs operate around the clock and produce some of the most advanced chips in the world. Any extended interruption can ripple through global supply chains, delaying products from data center accelerators to smartphones. With demand for AI hardware still running hot, even short pauses are closely watched by customers and investors alike.
Industry analysts note that TSMC’s ability to rebound so quickly is not accidental. Semiconductor fabs are designed with seismic isolation systems, redundant power supplies, and strict restart protocols to protect both workers and ultra sensitive equipment. The speed of recovery after this quake suggests those systems are working as intended.
While inspections continue, the episode highlights a broader reality. In an era where advanced chips underpin everything from artificial intelligence to national security, the resilience of a handful of factories has global consequences. Taiwan may shake, but for now, the world’s most important chip lines are still humming.