Earthquake In Japan With A Powerful Magnitude Of 7.1

A strong earthquake in Japan has hit the region with a magnitude of 7.1. On Thursday, southern Japan was powerfully jolted by the earthquake, however, no major damage was reported.

An indication of a possible tsunami was already generated by the authorities, nevertheless, relatively minor tsunami waves were witnessed.

(Also read: 9 Dead, Over 700 Injured as Powerful Earthquake Hits Taiwan, Strongest in 25 Years)

The earthquake hit was reported at 4:42 pm off Kyushu with a depth of 25 kilometres, according to a report generated by the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

Initially, two reports of earthquakes in Japan were rolled out. Later, they realised that it was only one tremor, out of the two initial ones (magnitude 6.9 and 7.1).

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) corroborated just one earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1.

While the JMA confirmed that one-metre tsunamis were predicted, there have been some indications of the phenomenon in certain coastal regions of the Kyushu and Shikoku islands.

Further, a small tsunami was also anticipated in Chiba, approximately 850 kilometres from the epicentre.

A message related to the earthquake in Japan was posted by JMA on social media platform X, “Tsunamis will strike repeatedly. Please do not enter the sea or approach the coast until the warning is lifted”.

It has been a sigh of relief that only small tsunamis of 50 cm, 20 cm and 10 cm were noticed in the surrounding areas of the port of Miyazaki. According to JMA, they were noticed more than an hour after the earthquake.

One of the broadcasters in Japan showed traffic lights shaking frantically sideways on the road when the earthquake hit Miyazaki on Kyushu’s southeast coast.

The reporter said, “The surface of the sea is wavering. I felt an intense jolt when the quake happened, which lasted for between 30 seconds and a minute”.

He added that three people were hurt in Miyazaki, however, no news of anyone getting injured came to the surface.

Technical details of earthquake in Japan

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center released a similar report related to the tsunami after the earthquake in Japan. It stated that within 300 miles of the epicentre, there is probably a risk of dangerous tsunami waves.

Based on the reports from nuclear regulation authority sites, no irregularities were detected at atomic power plants in the area.

Government spokesperson, Yoshimasa Hayashi said that damage to the people and property is still being assessed and the details would soon be shared with the public if there are any.

He added that the prime minister had sent special instructions to the officials to provide accurate details of evacuation and tsunamis should be shared so that any possible consequential actions could be taken in a timely manner.

Several footage were found on social media where people have shown books falling, chairs wiggling in the office, and fans on the ceiling shaking massively when the earthquake in Japan knocked. There was also a video of a small wall that collapsed on the car’s roof in the parking lot.

A special task force is formulated by the Japanese government as a response to the quakes hitting in future, a statement disclosed.

As one of the most tectonically active nations in the world, Japan is perched atop the Earth’s four main tectonic plates, therefore taking this step was imperative. The Pacific “Ring of Fire” is a distinctive name given to Japan and its plates for the said purpose.

Much of the credit goes to Japan’s infrastructure which caused little damage by the earthquakes that have hit the territory in history. The unique construction techniques and a strict following of the building regulations have supported the country in protecting itself from extreme damage, therefore bagging number four ranking in the world economy.