A Strong Earthquake in Japan Triggers Evacuations
Japan issued an urgent alert after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit off its North East coast. It was a 10km deep quake that struck near Iwate Prefecture in Japan, 530 km away from Tokyo. Authorities quickly warned coastal areas and ordered their evacuation because of the shallow depth.
As a precaution, officials asked thousands of residents in the area to relocate to higher ground. Initial reports indicated that tsunami waves might reach as high as 3 meters. The largest recorded waves were only about 80cm, which significantly reduced the immediate concern of damage.
The risk of an even bigger earthquake is still high
The Japan Meteorological Agency warned that danger was not yet over. There is an increased chance that a more powerful earthquake will occur, perhaps above magnitude 8, in the next week.
Impact of Infrastructure and Daily Life
Local authorities made use of loudspeakers in order to direct residents, and ensure a quick evacuation when necessary.
The 2011 disaster still fresh in our minds
In Japan, many people still recall the devastation caused by 2011’s Tohoku earthquake. This disaster caused the deaths of more than 18,000. It also triggered a crisis at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.
a result of this experience, today’s emergency response systems are faster. To reduce the risk, authorities now warn quickly and urge immediate evacuation.
Japan’s Constant Earthquake Risk
Japan is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire – one of the seismically most active areas of the globe. Around 1,500 earthquakes occur in Japan each year. The country is also responsible for almost 10% of all the strong earthquakes in the world.
