Japan Tsunami Alert: Japan was hit by a 7.1 magnitude earthquake on Wednesday, prompting the authorities to issue an alert for a Tsunami. The earthquake off the coast of Miyazaki Prefecture in southwestern Japan. The tsunami advisory was issued for Miyazaki, Kochi, Oita, Kagoshima, and Ehime prefectures in coastal Japan. The authorities have asked people in the coastal areas to move to higher grounds or safe places.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the epicentre was 30 km below the Hyuganada Sea. The Japanese Meteorological Agency later issued a megaquake advisory, anticipating more tremors. The advisory was issued as part of the Nankai Trough Earthquake Extra Information protocol.
The 7.1 earthquake was followed by at least six smaller tremors, measuring 4.6-3.4 on the Richter Scale.
Following the 7.1 earthquake, Japan suspended its bullet train services as a precaution. According to Japanese media website NHK, the Sendai nuclear plant in Kyushu is functioning normally after the earthquake. Videos of the impact of the earthquake on infrastructure in Japan are being widely shared on social media, but there has been no report of any damage so far.
Japan is on the 'Pacific Ring of Fire' and is used to frequent earthquakes. The 'Ring of Fire' is a collection of volcanoes in the Pacific Ocean. However, a big jolt raises the possibility of a tsunami. One such tsunami devastated Japan in 2011 after a 9.1 undersea earthquake. This was the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in Japan.
The 2011 Japan tsunami killed 20,000 and caused the meltdown of three reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.
Types Of Tsunami Alerts In Japan
Japan has three levels of issuing tsunami alerts — Tsunami Advisory, Tsunami Warning, and Major Tsunami Warning.
Tsunami advisories are issued when the sea waves are predicted to reach 1 metre or 3.3 feet. Tsunami warning means that the waves can reach up to 3 metres in height, while the last alert indicates the waves may go beyond a height of 10 m.