Devastating Earthquake Strikes Japan, Triggers Tsunami Warnings

Massive earthquake hits Japan, triggering tsunami warnings

On Monday afternoon, a powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake rocked central Japan, causing widespread destruction, collapsing buildings, and igniting fires. The seismic event also led to tsunami warnings across the region, affecting even distant areas like eastern Russia. The disaster left a trail of casualties, with six reported dead in Ishikawa prefecture and dozens injured across multiple regions.

A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck central Japan on Monday afternoon, collapsing buildings, starting fires and triggering tsunami warnings as far east as Japan, forcing residents to evacuate affected coastal areas of Japan.

An earthquake in Ishikawa Prefecture killed six people and injured dozens in four other prefectures, including Toyama and Niigata, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported, citing hospitals and local authorities.

The earthquake occurred at 4:10 p.m. local time at a depth of 10 kilometres (6 miles) on the Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa Prefecture, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

The Japan Meteorological Agency immediately issued a tsunami warning along coastal regions of western Japan and the first waves reached the coast just over 10 minutes later.

Some of the first reports came from the city of Wajima in Ishikawa Prefecture, where tsunami waves of about 1.2 meters (3.9 feet) occurred around 4:21 p.m.m., according to NHK. No immediate damage was reported. Tsunami warnings along parts of Japan's west coast were later removed.

The Defense Ministry has deployed 1,000 soldiers to support rescue and reconstruction efforts, Defense Minister Minoru Kihara told reporters.

Suzu city officials in Ishikawa

told #CNN that buildings were damaged and injuries were reported. According to NHK, police said several people were trapped in the damaged houses.

According to NHK, officials at Suzu

The hospital said they had admitted the injured, adding that some doctors were unable to go to work due to damaged roads. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a "major tsunami warning" for Noto - the first since the devastating 2011 earthquake - but it was later downgraded to a "tsunami warning".

tsunami warnings were subsequently lifted as the threat of further tsunami waves diminished, but warnings for waves of up to 1 meter (3 feet) remained in place.

According to the Japanese tsunami warning system, predicted waves of less than 1 meter fall under a "tsunami warning", predicted waves of up to 3 meters fall under a "tsunami warning", and predicted waves of more than 5 meters fall under a "tsunami warning". Warning". “big tsunami”. Warning". Warning".

“The whole room shook” Footage from #NHK

shows cameras shaking violently as waves crash onto the shore following the earthquake in Ishikawa Prefecture.

The earthquake also shook

homes, with photos showing collapsed roofs and shaken foundations.

Tsunami Alerts and Evacuations:

With its epicentre in the Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa prefecture, the earthquake struck at a depth of 10 kilometres. Following the quake, the Japan Meteorological Agency swiftly issued tsunami warnings for western coastal regions. The first tsunami waves, reaching around 1.2 meters, were reported in Wajima city, Ishikawa prefecture, just over 10 minutes later. Although initial alerts were lifted, advisories for potential 1-meter waves persisted.

Response and Rescue Efforts:

In response to the crisis, Japan's defense ministry deployed 1,000 military personnel to assist in rescue and recovery efforts. Reports from Suzu City in Ishikawa detailed damaged buildings, injuries, and individuals trapped in collapsed houses. The rescue operations faced challenges due to damaged roads, hindering the mobility of medical personnel.

Impact on Transportation and Infrastructure:

The earthquake disrupted transportation, halting the services of Japan's Shinkansen bullet trains. Nearly 1,400 passengers were stranded for over 11 hours. Social media shared images of the aftermath, depicting store aisles in disarray and train platforms rocked by intense tremors. Additionally, over 32,500 homes in Ishikawa prefecture were left without power.

Nuclear Plants and Aftershocks:

Despite the quake's intensity, Japan's Kansai Electric Power Company reported no abnormalities at nearby nuclear plants. However, the Shika nuclear power plant's power converter was affected, though no major consequences were reported. A series of strong aftershocks, including a 6.2 magnitude event, followed the initial quake, with seismologists predicting continued aftershocks over the next days to weeks.

International Impact:

The earthquake triggered tsunami warnings in eastern Russia, with reports of waves reaching Vladivostok and Nakhodka. South Korea's meteorological administration monitored sea level changes, and a potential threat was declared in Pohang.

As Japan grapples with the aftermath of this devastating earthquake, rescue efforts are underway, and authorities are working to assess the full extent of the damage. The nation remains on alert for potential aftershocks, emphasizing the need for ongoing preparedness and response measures in the face of natural disasters.