On Thursday, August 8th, a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 struck off the southern coast of Japan. The epicenter was located in waters off the eastern coast of Kyushu at a depth of about 18 miles. The earthquake most strongly affected the city of Nichinan and surrounding areas in Miyazaki Prefecture on Kyushu Island.
The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that about half an hour after the earthquake, tsunami waves up to 1.6 feet high were detected along parts of Kyushu's southern coast and the nearby island of Shikoku. Tsunami warnings were issued, but they were lifted for most areas three hours later and for all remaining coastlines five and a half hours later.
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency reported that nine people suffered minor injuries in Miyazaki and neighboring Kagoshima due to falls and impacts with objects. Miyazaki Airport was temporarily closed due to window damage in the terminal caused by the earthquake, and the runway was shut down for safety checks.
Shinkansen bullet train services in Kyushu were temporarily suspended, and some local railway lines will remain closed until Friday. The Nuclear Regulation Authority confirmed the safety of all 12 nuclear reactors in Kyushu and Shikoku, including three active ones.
Several hours after the seismic event, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued its first-ever warning of an increased risk of a megaquake. Geophysicist Ole Kaven from the USGS noted that while the possibility of a stronger subsequent earthquake is concerning, it decreases with each passing hour. He estimated the chance of such an event at 5%, which diminishes over time.
Seismologists held an emergency meeting to assess the earthquake's impact on the Nankai Trough, a source of previous destructive earthquakes. They raised the probability assessment for future earthquakes from Kyushu to central Japan. Although there is no immediate threat, residents along a 310-mile stretch of coastline are advised to review their earthquake preparedness.
Seismologist Naoshi Hirata from the University of Tokyo noted that there is a 70-80% chance of an earthquake with a magnitude of 8 or 9 occurring within the next 30 years. Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant, continue with their daily lives, and, if necessary, check their evacuation routes and home supplies.
The increase in global seismic activity raises important questions about the causes of this rise and underscores the need for public awareness. Answers to these pressing issues are presented in the materials from the forum "Global Crisis. The Responsibility."
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