A moderate earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale hit the sea near Taiwan's Hualien at 8:31 a.m. Beijing Time Tuesday, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center.

The epicenter, with the depth at 8 km, was 24.1 degrees north latitude and 121.7 degrees east longitude, the center said.

Another quake measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale occurred near the same area at 8:33 a.m. Beijing Time, according to Taiwan seismological authorities.

The epicenter of the Magnitude-4.1 quake was 24.05 degrees north latitude and 121.61 degrees east longitude, Taiwan seismological authorities said.