A powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck southwestern Japan late Monday, triggering small tsunamis in the region, though no damage or injuries were reported.
The quake occurred at a depth of 36 kilometers, approximately 18 kilometers off the coast of Miyazaki Prefecture in the Kyushu region, at 9:19 PM local time (12:19 GMT), according to the US Geological Survey.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued a tsunami warning, forecasting waves up to one meter high and urging residents to stay away from coastal areas. “Tsunamis can strike repeatedly. Please avoid the sea and coastal areas,” the agency advised on X (formerly Twitter).
Two minor tsunamis, about 20 centimeters high, were observed at ports in the region. However, local media and live broadcasts from public broadcaster NHK showed no visible damage, with normal traffic flow, operating vessels, and calm seas.
Japan, situated along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” is among the world’s most seismically active nations, experiencing approximately 1,500 earthquakes annually. Despite most being mild, the effects vary based on the quake's depth and location.
On January 1, 2024, a 7.5-magnitude quake in the Noto Peninsula resulted in nearly 470 fatalities, Japan’s deadliest in over a decade. Last August, the JMA raised concerns about a potential "megaquake" following a magnitude 7.1 tremor that injured 15 people.
The 2011 undersea quake off northeastern Japan remains a grim memory. The 9.0-magnitude disaster triggered a massive tsunami, leaving 18,500 people dead or missing and causing meltdowns at the Fukushima nuclear plant.
Despite the challenges posed by its geological setting, Japan enforces stringent building codes to ensure structures withstand powerful quakes and regularly conducts emergency drills. Authorities are now investigating potential links between the latest tremor and past seismic activity.
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