A 5.1-magnitude earthquake struck sea area near Taiwan Monday noon, according to the China Earthquake Administration (CEA).

The CEA said the quake occurred at 1:21 PM (Beijing time). Its epicenter was located at 24.1 degrees north latitude and 122.9 degrees east longitude, with a depth of 33 km.

The epicenter was about 130 km from Hualien County and 170 km from Taipei, according to the CEA.

(Xinhua News Agency February 22, 2010)