Japan Quakes: Western Kyushu Prepares for Tsunami After Major Tremor

The Japanese government has issued earthquake warnings for seven prefectures on Kyushu island and tsunami alerts for coastal areas following a powerful magnitude 7 seismic event.

Main Shocks and Kyushu Warnings

The main shocks occurred just before 4:30 PM local time (9:30 AM in Poland). The Japanese government issued earthquake warnings for seven prefectures on the island of Kyushu.

According to JMA data, the highest, seventh level on the Japanese seismic intensity scale was recorded in the Kumamoto region, which was also the epicenter of the shocks.

Tsunami Alerts and Reported Injuries

According to the published announcement, the tsunami alert is primarily in effect for the coasts of Ariake-kai, the East China Sea Bay, and the Yatsushiro Sea. Meteorological services warn that the expected wave height in these waters may reach one meter.

As reported by the Kyodo News agency, several people were probably injured as a result of the earthquake.

Japan’s Seismic Vulnerability

Japan is located in the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone of frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions surrounding the Pacific Ocean. Due to its location at the junction of tectonic plates, Japan is one of the most seismically active countries in the world and regularly experiences strong tremors.

Recent Major Earthquakes in Japan

Over the past five years, Japan has been struck by several strong earthquakes with a magnitude above 6. In mid-April of this year, the northeastern coast of Japan (in the area of Iwate, Aomori prefectures, and Hokkaido island) was hit by a magnitude 7.7 earthquake.

Urgent tsunami warnings were issued, coastal areas were evacuated, train traffic was suspended, and inspections were carried out at power plants.