Two powerful earthquakes hit off Japan’s Southern Coast, tsunami alert in several areas

Tsunamis of up to one metre were expected to arrive or have arrived in some coastal areas in Kyushu and Shikoku islands

August 8, 2024

2 massive earthquakes hit Japan within a minute, and tsunami alerts in several areas

Two powerful earthquakes struck Japan on Thursday, prompting a tsunami advisory from the Japan Meteorological Agency. The quakes, which registered a 6.9-magnitude earthquake followed by a 7.1 tremor struck southern Japan.

The first quake hit at 4:42 pm (0742 GMT) at a depth of 33 kilometres, about 29 kilometres southeast of Miyazaki on Kyushu. The second struck less than a minute later at a depth of 26 metres and was 20 kilometres northeast of Miyazaki.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami advisory, forecasting waves of up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) along Kyushu’s southern coast and the nearby island of Shikoku. The advisory warns residents to be cautious of possible coastal flooding and to stay informed about further updates.

In response to the earthquake, operators of nuclear power plants in both Kyushu and Shikoku have begun thorough inspections to assess any potential damage. At this time, there are no immediate reports of significant issues affecting these facilities.

Japan’s NHK public television reported preliminary damage from the earthquake, including broken windows at Miyazaki Airport, which is situated near the earthquake’s epicenter. Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates as more information becomes available.

Residents in the affected areas are advised to stay tuned to local news and follow safety guidelines to ensure their protection during this ongoing event.

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