Two powerful earthquakes struck off Japan’s southern coast on Thursday, causing widespread concern and prompting a tsunami advisory. The first quake, measured at a 6.9 magnitude, was quickly followed by a stronger 7.1-magnitude tremor, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported that the first earthquake, initially recorded with a preliminary magnitude of 7.1, occurred off the eastern coast of Kyushu, Japan’s southern main island, at a depth of about 30 kilometers. Less than a minute later, a second tremor struck 20 kilometers northeast of Miyazaki, at a depth of 26 kilometers.
In response to the seismic activity, the JMA issued a tsunami advisory, predicting waves up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) along the southern coast of Kyushu and the nearby island of Shikoku.
In light of the twin quakes, the Japanese government has mobilized a special task force to coordinate rescue and relief operations. The JMA also warned residents to stay away from the coast and avoid entering the sea until the advisory is lifted. “Tsunamis will strike repeatedly. Please do not enter the sea or approach the coast until the warning is lifted,” the agency stated on X.
Nuclear plant operators in Kyushu and Shikoku are currently inspecting their facilities for potential damage. Meanwhile, reports from Japan’s NHK public television indicate broken windows at Miyazaki Airport, which is located near the epicenter of the quakes.
Japan, situated on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” is one of the most earthquake-prone regions in the world. The country has a history of devastating seismic events, including the magnitude 9.0 earthquake in March 2011 that caused nearly 20,000 deaths and triggered the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. Earlier this year, on January 1st, a magnitude 7.6 quake struck the north-central region of Noto, resulting in 241 fatalities.
