6.3 magnitude earthquake hits Japan sparks tsunami fears | World | News
Japan was hit by a powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake on Monday evening, sparking concerns of a possible tsunami.
Reuters reported that the eastern region of Shimane Prefecture was the epicentre of the earthquake and the earthquake struck the Chugoku region around 10:20 a.m., registering an upper 5 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of 7 in Sakai-Minato, Hino and Kofu Tottori, and Matsua and Yasugi, Shimane prefectures.
A magnitude 5.1 aftershock with an intensity rating of a lower 5 followed the initial quake at 10:28 a.m., as per the Japan Times.
Authorities are monitoring the situation closely and assessing any potential impacts, including further aftershocks. This comes just two weeks after a series of earthquakes rattled southern Japan, a region already notorious for its regular seismic activity.
Officials confirmed that no tsunami warning had yet been issued.
This information was corroborated by the Japan Meteorological Agency, providing some relief to anxious residents near the site of the natural disaster.
On Sunday, December 21, tremors were reported over several hours across hundreds of miles. Within a six-hour period, two earthquakes with magnitudes of 4.1 and 4.4 occurred near the Izu Islands.
At approximately 2am local time, a more powerful earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale struck further north, roughly 78 miles east of Ohara.
The previous day, a 5.4-magnitude tremor had hit off the coast of Hachinoe, followed by a 4.3-magnitude quake in the same vicinity.
The recent surge in seismic activity has led officials and scientists to caution that there remains a small possibility of a major “megaquake” hitting Japan this year, highlighting the ongoing necessity for disaster preparedness among the millions of residents in the region.
Despite the number of tremors, no significant injuries, structural damage, or tsunami generation have been reported so far.
Historical data for the area, particularly in remote island locations, suggests that earthquakes below magnitude 5 are unlikely to cause widespread destruction.
Japan ranks among the world’s most seismically active regions due to its position above multiple tectonic plates.
Thousands of earthquakes are recorded annually in the southern island chains, especially around the Tokara Islands, typically minor but occasionally powerful enough to cause significant disruption.
