Japan Earthquake Triggers Tsunami Warning Amid Fears of Larger Quakes
A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the southern coast of Japan on Thursday, prompting a tsunami warning and raising concerns about the potential for even more devastating quakes in the region. The tremor, centered in the waters off Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan’s main islands, occurred at a depth of approximately 30 kilometers (about 19 miles) below the sea surface. It struck at 4:42 p.m. local time (3:42 a.m. ET), with its epicenter situated about 12 miles southeast of Miyazaki, a city on Kyushu.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) immediately issued a tsunami advisory, forecasting waves of up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) along the southern coast of Kyushu and the nearby island of Shikoku. Tsunami waves reaching up to 50 centimeters (about 1.6 feet) were observed along parts of Kyushu’s southern coast and Shikoku within about 30 minutes of the quake. The tsunami advisory was later lifted for most areas, though caution remains as experts continue to monitor the situation.
The earthquake, which struck at a time when many were still reeling from Japan’s past seismic events, including the devastating 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, resulted in nine minor injuries reported from Miyazaki and neighboring Kagoshima prefectures. There were no immediate reports of severe damage or casualties. The Japan Meteorological Agency has warned that strong aftershocks could continue for up to a week.
Seismologists have raised the alert level concerning the Nankai Trough, a major fault line that has been linked to some of Japan’s most catastrophic earthquakes. The Nankai Trough, running from Kyushu to central Japan, is the source of significant concern due to its history of producing massive quakes. The JMA’s assessment suggests that the likelihood of a major earthquake along this fault line is currently elevated, with experts projecting a 70-80% chance of a magnitude 8 or 9 quake within the next 30 years.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has called for heightened disaster preparedness and urged residents to stay informed and ready to act. The government is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with local authorities to ensure safety and effective response measures. The Nuclear Regulation Authority has reported that all nuclear reactors on Kyushu and Shikoku remain safe, with no damage reported at the plants.
In the aftermath of the earthquake, there were reports of minor damage such as broken windows at the Miyazaki airport, and some local train services were temporarily suspended for safety checks. Despite the relatively low level of damage, the earthquake has reignited fears about the potential for future seismic activity in the region.
Japan’s geographical position on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” makes it one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world. The recent quake serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing seismic risks and the importance of disaster preparedness in this vulnerable region.