A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 on the Richter Scale struck off Japan’s southern coast on Thursday, sending shockwaves through the region and prompting a tsunami advisory. The earthquake, which struck at 4:42 PM local time near Miyazaki, Japan, was initially reported by the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) initially registered the tremor at a magnitude of 6.9. The quake occurred off the eastern coast of Kyushu, Japan’s southern main island, at a depth of approximately 30 kilometers (18.6 miles). In response to the seismic activity, the JMA issued a tsunami advisory predicting waves of up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) for the affected areas.
The tsunami advisory covers the coastal regions of Miyazaki, Kochi, Oita, Kagoshima, and Ehime prefectures, as reported by NHK World. Residents in these areas have been advised to stay away from the seashores and not to attempt to observe the situation due to potential risks.
Authorities are currently assessing the impact of the earthquake and monitoring for any further developments. The earthquake has caused significant concern among locals and prompted immediate precautionary measures to ensure public safety.
As Japan is highly prone to seismic activity due to its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire, the country regularly experiences earthquakes, but events of this magnitude often trigger widespread alerts and emergency responses. The situation remains under close watch as further updates are awaited.