The missions mainly include:

Monitoring seismic activities in and around Taiwan

In order to monitor seismic activities in real time, the CWB uses leased lines to transmit various velocity and acceleration ground motion digital signals from remote stations to the Seismological Center for analyzing, processing, and archiving. This data not only contributes to seismological research and applications, but also is valuable for disaster prevention and mitigation agencies when they carry out emergency operations. In 2010, the CWB began to establish a new-generation seismic monitoring system under Phase IV of the TSMIP for an overhaul of observation equipment and transmission system. Sampling rate of seismic signals was increased to up to 100 points per second, 24-bit dynamic range was upgraded, and more borehole seismic stations were built which, with lower surface noise, resulted in better signal quality. Information integration was also carried out by combining data from the CWB's various networks and global earthquake observation data from IRIS (Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology). Now the CWB's seismic network not only has more seismic stations but also covers more areas. As the new 24-bit earthquake observation system went online in 2012, earthquake monitoring in Taiwan entered the era of joint observations. More than 750,000 earthquakes have been recorded by the CWB network since 1991. Such data is highly valuable for monitoring fault activities and earthquake precursors, and can be applied in research on tectonic structures, seismic activities, seismic source characteristics, site effects during strong ground motions, and so on.

Releasing earthquake early warnings, felt-earthquakes reports, and tsunami warnings

To provide fast and accurate information about felt earthquakes to the general public and agencies responsible for disaster prevention and rescue, the CWB continues to improve its earthquake monitoring system by enhancing the efficiency of automatized earthquake analysis. When a moderate earthquake occurs on land in Taiwan, resolution can be achieved within 10 seconds, and EEW will be disseminated immediately via customized software, the Public Warning System, TV program interruption notifications, etc., followed by detailed intensity information to all administrative areas concerned about 2 minutes after earthquake occurrence, and official felt-earthquake reports about 5 to 10 minutes after earthquake occurrence.

To prevent tsunami hazard triggered by distant earthquake, the CWB provides tsunami information to the general public and disaster prevention agencies in Taiwan after it receives tsunami information from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) and analyzes the potential risk and impact. If the tsunami threat comes from an earthquake near Taiwan, the CWB also has a local tsunami system integrated with Earthquake Rapid Reporting System which will generate tsunami warning when necessary.

In addition, for volcano hazard prevention purposes, in 2020 the CWB completed the guidelines for volcanic activity level definition and warning issuance, to more quickly and efficiently broadcast relevant information to the public in designated areas through the Public Warning System.

Earthquake precursor research

After the 921 Chi-Chi Earthquake of 1999, the CWB began to install and operate various geophysical observation stations under the Taiwan Geophysical Network for Seismology, which included Crustal Deformation Observation Network, Seismic Groundwater Observation Network, Geomagnetic Observation Network, and Geoelectric Observation Network, with a current total of approximately 200 observation stations. A further goal is to establish a comprehensive geophysical database of earthquake precursors with steady and long-term accumulation of various geophysical observation data to serve as foundation for earthquake precursor analysis in Taiwan. While actual earthquake prediction is not yet possible, relevant research is very much underway all over the world. In Taiwan, as the government agency responsible for earthquake research, the CWB works closely with academic institutions to develop technology for analyzing various phenomena relating to earthquake precursors. Approaches include using Global Navigation Satellite System to monitor crustal deformation, variations of the ionospheric total electron content, abnormal fluctuations in groundwater level, variations in the geomagnetic field, and abnormal seismic activities. It is hoped that by integrating various research methods, it will become possible to estimate the probability of an earthquake of or above a certain magnitude occurring at a specific time and place, in order to achieve the long-term goal of earthquake prediction.

Earthquake information services, earthquake precaution promotion, and disaster prevention education

In response to growing needs for earthquake data and information applications, the CWB provides various online information supply services, such as advanced earthquake information inquiries, data purchases, open data platforms, and geophysical data management system, for easy and quick access to earthquake information. To maximize EEW effectiveness, rapid mass transmissions and diverse applications are needed, but the CWB cannot achieve this alone. Therefore, the Seismological Center has been in collaboration with other government agencies and private organizations since 2013, under the terms of which eligible partners receive EEW directly from the CWB for development purposes with no compensation required. The goal is for members of the general public to be able to receive EEW information fast and in a variety of ways. The collaboration focuses on not only transmission of warnings and information to more receivers, but also promotion of different customized applications to support development of domestic disaster prevention and rescue industry.

The CWB's ongoing effort to promote disaster prevention education includes not only its own seismic education gallery, old seismograph exhibition, and VR earthquake experiences, but also participation in the annual 119 disaster prevention campaign, the 921 National Disaster Prevention Day, and relevant activities on the Bureau's own anniversary. The CWB website includes sections on earthquake and popular science, has an earthquake report fan-page on Facebook to quickly disseminate earthquake and tsunami information, and makes earthquake and tsunami knowledge short films to help the general public learn about these important topics in an easy-to-understand way.