Japan has issued a warning about an increased likelihood of a potential mega-quake in the northern coastal areas, triggered by a significant earthquake earlier today. The Cabinet Office and the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) have stated that there is a one percent chance of a mega-quake hitting the northern Japanese coast within the next week following the powerful earthquake near the Chishima trough. The advisory is not a prediction but a call for residents to enhance their readiness, including having emergency supplies and a preparedness kit while maintaining their daily routines.
This advisory marks the second for the region in recent times, with the previous one issued after a major quake in December, which was not followed by a significant subsequent quake. Earlier today, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off the northeast coast of Japan, prompting authorities to warn residents to avoid coastal areas where tsunami waves up to three meters were anticipated. Following the tremor, tsunami waves of around 80 centimeters were detected two hours later, with a subsequent downgrade of the tsunami warning to an advisory by JMA. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre has confirmed that the tsunami threat from the earthquake has passed.
As night descended in Tokyo, Japan’s top government spokesperson Minoru Kihara reported no immediate casualties or major damage in a press conference. Evacuation orders were issued in several port towns, including Otsuchi and Kamaishi, both previously impacted by a massive earthquake and tsunami in 2011. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced the establishment of an emergency task force and urged residents in affected areas to evacuate to safety.
Authorities anticipate significant aftershocks in the coming days and weeks, as ships were seen leaving Hachinohe port in Hokkaido in preparation for potential waves. A three-meter tsunami could lead to damage in low-lying areas, flooding buildings, and posing risks to individuals in its path. Bullet train services in Aomori were suspended due to the tremors, as reported by Kyodo news agency.
The earthquake registered an “upper 5” on Japan’s seismic intensity scale, causing difficulty in movement and potential collapse of unreinforced concrete-block walls. The epicenter of the quake was in the Pacific Ocean, with a depth of 10 kilometers. The International Atomic Energy Agency stated that there were no abnormalities observed at Japan’s nuclear facilities following the earthquake.
Situated in the volatile “Ring of Fire,” Japan is prone to earthquakes due to its location near volcanoes and oceanic trenches encircling the Pacific Basin. The country experiences frequent tremors, with a quake of magnitude 6.0 or higher occurring approximately every five minutes. In December, a 7.5 magnitude quake resulted in numerous injuries.
It has been over 15 years since the devastating magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami in March 2011, which caused extensive damage in northern Japan, claiming over 22,000 lives and displacing nearly half a million people, mainly due to tsunami effects. Approximately 160,000 individuals evacuated Fukushima due to radiation from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, with around 26,000 still displaced either due to relocation, restricted access to their hometowns, or concerns about radiation exposure.