A tsunami warning has been issued for Japan following a powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake that struck the region. Authorities have warned of a potential rise in sea levels up to one meter along the Pacific coast of the western islands of Kyushu and Shikoku.
The earthquake occurred today at 4:42 pm local time near Miyazaki, Japan, according to the United States Geological Survey. The Japan Meteorological Agency also reported the quake’s magnitude as 7.1, with the epicenter located in the Hyuganada Sea.
According to Volcano Discovery, the earthquake was very shallow, occurring at a depth of just 8.8 km. Shallow earthquakes are often felt more intensely than deeper ones because they are closer to the Earth’s surface.
The exact details of the earthquake, including its magnitude, epicenter, and depth, may be revised as seismologists review more data. Initial reports indicate that the quake would have been felt strongly in the areas near the epicenter, with potential for moderate to heavy damage to buildings and infrastructure.
Shaking was reported in towns and cities close to the epicenter, including Kirishima, located 68 kilometers away, and Kanoya, 72 kilometers from the epicenter.
This earthquake follows a series of recent seismic events in Japan. In April, a magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck southwestern Japan, injuring nine people and causing minor damage, including burst water pipes and small landslides. Fortunately, there was no tsunami threat on that occasion.
Another earthquake on June 3 shook Japan’s north-central region of Ishikawa, which had already been dealing with the aftermath of a powerful quake on January 1. The June tremor, measuring 5.9 in magnitude, was followed by a 4.8 quake and several smaller aftershocks within two hours. Despite the intensity, no major damage was reported.
Japan is part of the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” one of the world’s most earthquake-prone regions. The country has experienced devastating quakes in the past, including a magnitude 9.0 earthquake in March 2011 that triggered a tsunami, leading to nearly 20,000 deaths and causing the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. Another significant quake on January 1, with a magnitude of 7.6, resulted in the deaths of 241 people in the north-central region of Noto.
