Strong Earthquake Hits Japan’s Kyushu, Tsunami Advisory Issued

A powerful earthquake rocked Japan‘s southern island of Kyushu on Thursday afternoon, measuring a magnitude of 7.1. The quake struck at a depth of about 30 kilometers, sending shockwaves through the area and triggering a tsunami advisory.

The Japan Meteorological Agency, or JMA, initially recorded the earthquake at a slightly lower magnitude of 6.9, but later upgraded it. The epicenter was located in the Hyuganada Sea, off the eastern coast of Kyushu.

Authorities quickly issued a tsunami warning for several prefectures, including Miyazaki, Kochi, Oita, Kagoshima, and Ehime, predicting waves could reach as high as 1 meter. Thankfully, they later lifted the warnings for all but Miyazaki and Shikoku.

About a half hour after the quake, officials detected tsunami waves measuring up to 50 centimeters along parts of the southern coast. At Miyazaki Airport, which was near the epicenter, there were reports of broken windows, and the airport temporarily closed its runway for safety checks, halting flights.

In the nearby Kagoshima prefecture, some buildings were damaged, including concrete walls and a wooden house, although there were no reported injuries. Seismologists promptly gathered for an emergency meeting to assess if the quake had impacted the nearby Nankai Trough, a region known for causing devastating earthquakes in the past.

The JMA classified the earthquake as a major one, capable of causing serious destruction. It registered a 6 on their seismic intensity scale, meaning it was difficult to stand still and there was significant potential for damage.

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshimasa Hayashi, stated that there were no immediate reports of issues at any of the 12 nuclear power plants in Kyushu and Shikoku, but the government was actively checking for any damage or casualties. The threat of earthquakes around nuclear facilities has been a serious concern since the catastrophic Fukushima disaster in March 2011.

Located on the Pacific «Ring of Fire,» Japan is known for its seismic activity and is one of the most earthquake-prone nations in the world. A recent earthquake in January in the north-central region of Noto sadly resulted in over 240 fatalities.