A strong earthquake registering a magnitude of 7.1 shook Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture on الثلاثاء, triggering tsunami advisories across multiple regions. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported the seismic event occurred in southwestern Japan, specifically on Kyushu Island.
Epicenter and Impact of the Earthquake
The JMA pinpointed the quake’s epicenter near Uki City and Hikawa at a depth of approximately 10 kilometers (six miles). The tremors reached a maximum intensity of 7.1 in these localities, with significant shaking measured between levels 5 and 6 on the اليابانية seismic intensity scale in several other areas within Kumamoto Prefecture and neighboring prefectures. Surrounding regions also experienced noticeable tremors as the seismic waves spread.
Following the earthquake, tsunami advisories were promptly issued not only for Kumamoto but also for the adjacent prefectures of Fukuoka, Saga, and Nagasaki. The coastal zones along the Ariake Sea and Yatsushiro Sea were specifically highlighted as areas at risk. Authorities urged residents to evacuate coastal areas immediately and remain away from shorelines until further notice, emphasizing public safety in the face of potential aftershocks and tsunami waves.
The office of اليابانية Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi communicated these warnings via the social media platform X, reinforcing the urgency of the situation and the need for vigilance among affected communities.
This latest seismic disturbance comes just over a decade after a similarly severe earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture in April 2016. That previous 7.0-magnitude quake caused widespread devastation and resulted in hundreds of fatalities, marking it as a significant event in the region’s recent history. The current earthquake serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing seismic risks faced by this part of Japan.