A magnitude 7.1 earthquake has struck southern Japan. Authorities have issued tsunami warnings in several areas. Waves could reach heights of 1 meter.
The earthquake in Japan that occurred today in the southern part of the country was reported by Reuters, citing NHK, the Japanese public broadcaster. As reported, there was first an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9, then 7.1 on the Richter scale. The two earthquakes mentioned occurred in quick succession on the island of Kyushu.
Earthquake effects
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reports that the first quake struck at a depth of 33 km and the second at a depth of 25 km. Nuclear power plant operators on the islands of Kyushu and Shikoku are checking for damage.
There were media reports of collapsed and toppled houses. Residents in southern Japan posted videos on social media showing the effects of the earthquake.
Tsunami warning
Authorities also issued a warning of a one-meter tsunami that would hit the Pacific coast. Waves have already reached 20 cm high in Miyazaki Prefecture on the island of Kyushu.
If you are in an area where a tsunami warning has been issued, stay away from the coast. Tsunamis can appear and disappear and suddenly reach a high level.
– notify the services.
A crisis team has been called in and aftershocks are also possible.
Record earthquake
A record-breaking earthquake struck Japan on January 1 this year on the island of Noto in the north-central part of the country. Tremors measuring 7.6 in magnitude resulted in the deaths of two people.
There was also a tsunami, with waves reaching five meters. Ultimately, more than 240 people died as a result of the January earthquake.
aja/RMF24, Polsat News
