Shitan Earthquake Monument

An almost forgotten Japanese colonial era monument can be found in Shitan No. 3 Public Cemetery (獅潭鄉第三公墓) in Shitan, Miaoli. Erected in July 1935, this cylindrical sandstone monument commemorates the victims of the devastating 1935 Hsinchu-Taichung Earthquake, which had its epicenter around Guandaoshan (關刀山) in nearby Sanyi. 53 villagers perished in this area, and nearly 500 households were destroyed¹.

Date CapturedAugust 10th, 2024 at 08:25 UTCCameraDC-S5M2LensLUMIX S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6Apertureƒ / 5Shutter Speed1/250 secFocal Length20.0 mmISO100Exposure Value12.6 EVOriginal Size3600 × 2400

Date CapturedAugust 10th, 2024 at 08:25 UTCCameraDC-S5M2LensLUMIX S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6Apertureƒ / 5Shutter Speed1/200 secFocal Length20.0 mmISO100Exposure Value12.3 EVOriginal Size3600 × 2400

Although the later history of the monument is a little obscure, it was evidently refurbished in 1996, as the plaque now mounted on the base indicates. No other informational plaque is available in the area and it isn’t likely too many people climb the hill to pay their respects.

Date CapturedAugust 10th, 2024 at 08:26 UTCCameraDC-S5M2LensLUMIX S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6Apertureƒ / 5Shutter Speed1/200 secFocal Length20.0 mmISO100Exposure Value12.3 EVOriginal Size3600 × 2400

Date CapturedAugust 10th, 2024 at 08:24 UTCCameraDC-S5M2LensLUMIX S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6Apertureƒ / 4.5Shutter Speed1/160 secFocal Length20.0 mmISO100Exposure Value11.7 EVOriginal Size3600 × 2400

Date CapturedAugust 10th, 2024 at 08:27 UTCCameraDC-S5M2LensLUMIX S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6Apertureƒ / 5.6Shutter Speed1/320 secFocal Length20.0 mmISO100Exposure Value13.3 EVOriginal Size3600 × 2400

Footnotes

1. A rubbing of the inscription can be found at the National Central Library (國家圖書館). ↩