A paper titled “A Preliminary Study on the Emergency Investigation and Follow-up Response after the April 3 Hualien Earthquake in Taroko National Park,” jointly authored by the National Park Service, Ministry of the Interior, the Taroko National Park Headquarters (Taroko N. P. HQ), and geotechnical experts, was published in Issue No. 184 of Geotechnical Engineering in 2025. Among more than 50 papers published throughout the year, the study stood out and was selected as one of the three recipients of the journal’s Outstanding Paper Award.

The award ceremony was held on March 12. Representatives attending the ceremony included Section Chief Liu Yu-fan of the National Park Service and Director Liu Shou-li, Section Chief Zheng Kai-wen, and Specialist He Wen-sheng of the Taroko N. P. HQ. The recognition not only affirms the efforts of administrative management and professional investigation, but also provides valuable reference for disaster prevention and reconstruction work by government agencies in the future.

The April 3, 2024 Hualien earthquake had a tremendous impact on Taroko National Park. Severe geological hazards such as large-scale landslides and rockfalls occurred across the park, affecting scenic areas and hiking trails. Through preliminary investigations and assessments, the Taroko N. P. HQ carried out emergency rescue and repair operations immediately after the disaster. At the same time, the team documented the disaster landscape observed within the six months following the earthquake. These emergency investigations and response efforts have now been transformed into a valuable academic contribution.

Turning Disaster into Knowledge: Establishing a Foundation for Future Response

Frequent aftershocks occurred during the six months following the earthquake. Staff members of the Taroko N. P. HQ and professional teams advanced into disaster-affected areas despite the risk of falling rocks to conduct emergency rescue operations and on-site documentation. Drawing on experience from the 1999 Chi-Chi Earthquake, experts correctly anticipated that if typhoons or heavy rainfall occurred during the flood season, secondary disasters could follow. Through coordinated field surveys and technological inspections, the team systematically recorded earthquake-triggered landslides and rockfalls, as well as secondary disasters caused by events such as Typhoon Kong-rey.

Integrating Expertise and Technology: Effective Early-Stage Disaster Assessment

The preliminary investigation focused on six core scenic areas: Shakadang, Changchun Shrine (Eternal Spring Shrine), Buluowan, Yanzikou (Swallow Grotto), Jiuqudong (Tunnel of Nine Turns), and Baiyang. By integrating expertise from multiple disciplines, early image data and remote sensing information were combined with on-site field investigations. This approach allowed researchers to assess disaster types and characteristics across different areas, from broad regional patterns to detailed site conditions.

Advanced technologies—including high-precision panoramic UAV aerial photography and LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) mapping—were introduced during the preliminary investigation. These technologies enhanced the safety of survey personnel while enabling a clearer understanding of erosion gullies, landslides, unstable slopes, hazardous boulders, and loose debris. The collected data provide important scientific evidence for identifying the sources of rockfalls and assessing future disaster risks.

Disaster Risk and Reconstruction Strategies: Protecting the Magnificent Gorge

The detailed records and emergency investigations following the April 3 earthquake allowed the Taroko N. P. HQ to rapidly integrate geotechnical expertise and advanced technologies to evaluate the overall disaster situation and potential risks in Taroko during the early stages after the earthquake. The study offers a highly valuable investigation model and analytical results for future disaster assessment and response. It also outlines mid- to long-term reconstruction needs estimated at approximately NT$3 billion.

The award-winning paper systematically examines the reconstruction challenges faced after the earthquake and proposes preliminary response strategies. For severely affected sites, the study presents concepts such as disaster mitigation, hazard avoidance, and ecological recovery and coexistence.

Director Liu of the Taroko N. P. HQ noted:
“This honor belongs to every colleague who participated in emergency rescue efforts and every partner who risked their safety to conduct frontline investigations. Through this paper, we also hope the public can better understand that the gradual reconstruction and reopening of Taroko National Park are being carried out with prudence and rigor. Our goal is to ensure that every effort invested today leads to greater long-term safety in the future.”