Around 20,000 TSMC Wafers Reported Damaged by Earthquake

[T0@st]

Earlier this week, Taiwan experienced a magnitude 6.4 earthquake—this seismic event interrupted manufacturing activities at several TSMC chip-making facilities. As a precaution, foundry employees in both Central and Southern Taiwan were evacuated. Production resumed fairly quickly following inspections of crucial infrastructure—no major damage to facilities or equipment was noted. The latest reports suggest that a relatively minor number of TSMC wafers have been affected by the recent quake, while some recalibration of instrumentation is required to get things back on track.

Inside sources reckon that up to 20,000 wafers (possibly 10,000 at a minimum) could be scrapped—assessments are reportedly still underway, but a small proportion of client shipments could be disrupted. News articles point to this total being spread across three affected locations. Fab 18 is a key 3 nm production hub—situated in Taiwan's Southern Science Park, Tainan's Fab 14 specializes in 4 nm and 5 nm processes, and Fab 8 (Hsinchu) takes care of 200 nm. Industry experts believe that TSMC will bounce back quickly, and that the damaged wafer count represents a minor dent in the proverbial armor—on a good day, manufacturing output can reach up to 37,000 units.



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[dj-electric]

Ah... F#@%.

 

[TheLostSwede]

Ah... F#@%.

It was a pretty big quake with the epicentre very close to some of the fabs.
The bigger concern might be the aftershocks, as they've so far been going on for two days, som of them fairly big too.
There were at least two that could've caused further production stops today.

【Earthquake Report No.007】 - Central Weather Administration

Origin time(Taiwan Standard Time: GMT+08:00): 2025/01/21 00:17, location: 37.9 km SE of Chiayi County Hall, focal depth: 9.7 km, magnitude(ML): 6.4

www.cwa.gov.tw

 

[Legacy-ZA]

Isn't it funny how these events always happen at launches of new products? There is no such thing as coincidence people. Ergo, It's most likely a lie, (not the quake, but the damage) but will be used as an excuse to increase pricing even further. After all, you as the end pleb consumer will have no way to verify this and if there was someone to investigate, he will be bribed to shut his pie-hole or disappear or be denied access in the name of "secrecy"

 

[Timbaloo]

Isn't it funny

No, this amount of bullsh•• conspiracy is not even remotely funny, as people loose their home and life in earthquakes. 18 people died, over 1000 injured in 2024 april earthquake in taiwan. Not funny at all.

 

[freeagent]

Isn't it funny how these events always happen at launches of new products?

Isn't it funnier that they setup these highly sensitive factories in a place that is earthquake prone?

 

[mb194dc]

It sounds a lot but actually it's about half a days production...

 

[scottslayer]

Are they doubling prices again?

 

[TheLostSwede]

Isn't it funnier that they setup these highly sensitive factories in a place that is earthquake prone?

So where do you suggest they should build them? Maybe Canada can gift some land to Taiwan so they can expand their territory somewhere safe?

 

[freeagent]

So where do you suggest they should build them? Maybe Canada can gift some land to Taiwan so they can expand their territory somewhere safe?

We have so much open land, lots of cool air, lots of power, lots of rare metals, we can take care of them

 

[TheLostSwede]

We have so much open land, lots of cool air, lots of power, lots of rare metals, we can take care of them

I think you misunderstood me. What I'm asking for is for Canada do cede some of its land to Taiwan, so it would no longer be Canada, but rather Taiwan.

 

[freeagent]

I think you misunderstood me. What I'm asking for is for Canada do cede some of its land to Taiwan, so it would no longer be Canada, but rather Taiwan.

That is above my pay grade