Taiwan is situated on top of colliding tectonic plates. Given that most earthquakes occur in the ocean, ocean bottom seismometers can more directly and effectively collect seismic data than land-based seismic stations. In addition to helping scientists better understand the seafloor terrain surrounding Taiwan, ocean bottom seismometers provide the most advanced warning of any earthquake and tsunami warning systems, and will therefore play an important role in future developments.

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*Project MACHO:
In October 2011, the Central Weather Bureau completed the MArine Cable Hosted Observatory, a submarine-cable ocean bottom seismometer and marine physics observational system off the coast of east Taiwan, known as Project MACHO. The project includes approximately 45 kilometers of submarine cable extending offshore from Toucheng, Yilan. The end of the cable is attached to a seismometer and a pressure gauge, and has improved the warning system against strong earthquakes off the eastern shore, enhanced its accuracy, shortened report times, and added ten seconds or more to reaction times.