The United States Geological Survey estimated the quake to be 7.1 Mw . The Hong Kong Observatory and the Japan Meteorological Agency said 7.2 Mw . There are conflicting reports of the magnitude of the quake , with the Taiwan 's Central Weather Bureau marking it at 7.0 ML , the United States Geological Survey estimating it at 7.1 Mw , the Hong Kong Observatory , and the Japan Meteorological Agency put the magnitude at 7.2 Mw .