Powerful Quakes and Tsunami Alerts Shake Northern Japan
So, let me walk you through what has been happening in northern Japan, because it has been a tense and fast-moving situation over the past day. A powerful series of offshore earthquakes was recorded, with the strongest initially measured at magnitude 7.6—though earlier readings had placed it at 7.2. The quake struck off the coast of Hokkaido near Aomori, and it happened relatively deep below the ocean surface, roughly 30 miles down. Because of the strength and location of the quake, a tsunami alert was immediately triggered for the region, with early projections warning that waves could reach up to 10 feet.
As you can imagine, this sent coastal communities into action. Residents were urged to head for higher ground, evacuation buildings, or any sturdy elevated shelter as quickly as possible. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s office set up an emergency response room, while authorities kept a close watch on ports and towns along the northeastern shoreline. For several hours, tsunami warnings remained in effect as small offshore waves were recorded—some around a foot tall off Erimo Town, and others slightly larger, about a foot and a half, near Urakawa. These weren’t devastating heights, but they were enough to keep officials on alert.
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By early Tuesday morning, the Japan Meteorological Agency finally downgraded the warnings to advisories, signaling that the immediate risk of significant inundation had decreased. Even so, there were still signs of disruption. At least 23 people were reported injured, most due to falling objects. One man was hurt when his car dropped into a collapsed section of road. A hotel in Hachinohe saw multiple minor injuries, and hundreds of people ended up taking shelter at the Hachinohe airbase. Around 200 passengers were stranded overnight at New Chitose Airport, and several local train services were suspended as safety inspections were carried out.
Meanwhile, nuclear power plants in the region were put through thorough checks, and thankfully, no abnormalities were found. The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that Fukushima was operating normally, which is always a concern in Japan considering the long shadow of the 2011 disaster, when a massive 9.0 earthquake and tsunami led to catastrophic reactor meltdowns.
Japan, sitting on the seismically active Ring of Fire, experiences about 20% of the world’s strong earthquakes. So while the country is no stranger to quakes and tsunami alerts, each event brings a wave of anxiety, a rush of emergency procedures, and reminders of past tragedies. This latest quake has left some damage and disruption, but thanks to rapid alerts and widespread preparedness, the region appears to have avoided a major disaster this time.
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