1. A potent 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit north-central Japan on Monday.
2. The quake, centered in Ishikawa, led to tsunami warnings for Ishikawa, Niigata, and Toyama prefectures.
3. Tremors were felt in Tokyo and the Kanto area, with people advised to evacuate coastal areas.
Tokyo, Jan 01: A powerful earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter Scale struck north-central Japan on Monday, triggering tsunami warnings along the country’s northwestern coast.
The earthquake, centred in Ishikawa and neighboring prefectures, prompted the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) to issue alerts for potential tsunami activity in Ishikawa, Niigata, and Toyama prefectures.
Earthquake of Magnitude:7.2, Occurred on 01-01-2024, 12:40:15 IST, Lat: 37.47 & Long: 137.32, Depth: 50 Km ,Location: Near West Coast of Japan for more information Download the BhooKamp App https://t.co/Hs13Qqk560@KirenRijiju @Ravi_MoES @Dr_Mishra1966 @ndmaindia @Indiametdept pic.twitter.com/1Axj57ooBe
— National Center for Seismology (@NCS_Earthquake) January 1, 2024
The preliminary magnitude of the earthquake was reported as 7.4, according to The Associated Press.
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Tsunami warnings urged residents along the western coastal regions to evacuate coastal areas and seek higher ground immediately. In Noto, Ishikawa, waves up to 5 meters were reported following the tsunami warning.
Other affected areas, including Niigata and Toyama, experienced waves reaching up to 3 meters, as reported by Japanese public broadcaster NHK. People in Tokyo and the Kanto area felt the tremors caused by the earthquake.
Hokuriku Electric Power initiated checks for any irregularities at its nuclear power plants in response to the earthquake, although no immediate reports of damage or casualties were received. Japan, located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, is susceptible to seismic activity due to frequent tectonic plate interactions.
The March 11, 2011, earthquake with a magnitude of 9.0 struck Japan’s northeastern coast, triggering devastating tsunami waves.
This event resulted in over 19,000 casualties and a nuclear emergency at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, where tsunami waves inundated the facility and coastal areas. The recent earthquake serves as a reminder of the seismic risks in the region and the importance of preparedness measures.
