Recreating the Chelungpu Fault, the 921 Earthquake Education Park

Text and photos by Chi Bing-Hui

In the early hours of September 21, 1999, Taiwan experienced what can be described as the most devastating natural disaster since the war—the “921 Earthquake.” The magnitude 7.3 quake not only shattered buildings across the island but also broke the hearts of many Taiwanese. At that time, the Chelungpu Fault in the Wufeng area experienced intense displacement, causing a surface rupture that extended 96 kilometers. The post-earthquake ruins of Guangfu Junior High School, with its collapsed buildings and uplifted playground, presented a landscape rich in seismic educational value. As a result, it was transformed into the “921 Earthquake Education Park,” hoping that the public would forever remember the pain and learn disaster prevention knowledge from it.

Time flies, and although it has been a full 12 years, stepping into the 921 Earthquake Education Park and looking at old photos and the remnants of walls still easily brings back memories. Each exhibition hall meticulously documents the facts of the earthquake and uses theaters and hands-on experiences to provide vivid learning opportunities for visitors.

The park includes the “Chelungpu Fault Preservation Hall,” “Earthquake Engineering Education Hall,” “Image Gallery,” “Disaster Prevention Education Hall,” and “Reconstruction Records Hall.” The “Chelungpu Fault Preservation Hall” is an uniquely designed building with large floor-to-ceiling glass facing the uplifted Chelungpu Fault. Its arc shape wraps around the original location of the school playground. Inside the hall, exhibits include global tectonic plates, earthquake zones, and strong motion seismographs.

The “Earthquake Engineering Education Hall” was impressively built on the site of the original school buildings, with part of the exhibition space constructed within the remains of the damaged classrooms. The reinforced steel damaged by the strong quake was reinforced, presenting a blend of old and new. Original elements such as blackboards, fans, and later-added acrylic reinforcements can still be seen.