Japan Quake, No Tsunami Threat
Magnitude 7.1 Earthquake Shakes Southern Japan's Kyushu Island; No Tsunami Detected
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A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto on Japan's southern island of Kyushu, sending shockwaves across the region and triggering an immediate tsunami advisory, according to Erie News Now. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued the advisory for the Ariake and Yatsushiro Seas along the western coasts of Kumamoto and Nagasaki prefectures.
No tsunami was detected. The advisory was lifted within two hours of being issued, MRT reported. Officials monitored sea levels closely before standing down the alert.
Earthquake Strikes Kumamoto on Kyushu Island
The 7.1 magnitude quake hit Kumamoto, a city on Kyushu — Japan's southernmost main island. Kyushu is home to millions of people and sits in one of the world's most seismically active zones. A 7.1 magnitude quake is considered a major earthquake and can cause serious damage to buildings and infrastructure.
The quake was strong enough to prompt an immediate government response. Japan's Meteorological Agency moved quickly to assess the risk of tsunami waves in the nearby inland seas, Jonesboro Sun reported. Authorities urged residents in coastal areas to stay alert.
Tsunami Advisory Covered Two Inland Seas
The advisory covered the Ariake Sea and the Yatsushiro Sea — two shallow bodies of water on the western coasts of Kumamoto and Nagasaki prefectures. These seas are enclosed and relatively calm under normal conditions, but shallow water can amplify tsunami waves. Officials issued the advisory as a precaution, according to Voice of Alexandria.
A tsunami advisory is a lower-level warning. It means small waves may be possible, but large destructive waves are not expected. Still, residents near the shore are told to stay away from the water until the all-clear is given.
Advisory Lifted Within Two Hours, No Waves Detected
Sea level readings showed no significant tsunami activity after the quake. The Japan Meteorological Agency lifted the advisory within two hours, MRT reported. No major damage from tsunami waves was reported along the coastlines of either prefecture.
Japan has one of the world's most advanced earthquake and tsunami warning systems. After the devastating 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, which killed nearly 20,000 people, the country invested heavily in faster alerts and better coastal defenses. Thursday's quick all-clear showed that system working as intended, according to Erie News Now.
Kumamoto Has a History of Major Earthquakes
Kumamoto is no stranger to powerful quakes. In April 2016, two earthquakes — a magnitude 6.2 and a magnitude 7.0 — struck the area within 28 hours. Those quakes killed 50 people, injured thousands, and destroyed or damaged more than 180,000 buildings. The city spent years rebuilding after that disaster.
Japan sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates constantly shift and collide. The country experiences hundreds of earthquakes every year. Most are minor, but large quakes like Thursday's 7.1 serve as a reminder of the constant seismic risk facing millions of Japanese residents, Jonesboro Sun reported.
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