TOKYO — A tsunami warning was put in place for certain areas in southwest Japan following a magnitude 6.6 earthquake that occurred on Monday. Fortunately, the alerts to remain away from coastal regions were rescinded shortly afterward, with reports indicating only minor damage in several locations.
Initially, Japan’s Meteorological Agency reported the earthquake’s strength as 6.9, but later adjusted it to 6.6. In Kyushu, a man sustained minor injuries after he stumbled down some stairs, according to NHK TV. Additionally, a small landslide obstructed a road, and several underground water pipes were found to be damaged.
Reports indicated that a tsunami reaching heights of up to 1 meter (approximately 3.2 feet) made landfall about 30 minutes post-quake. At Miyazaki Port, the recorded water level reached 20 centimeters (0.7 feet). Following the quake, tsunami advisories were issued for the Miyazaki prefecture, where the epicenter was located, as well as for nearby Kochi prefecture on Shikoku Island. These warnings were lifted before midnight.
Shigeki Aoki, an official from the meteorological agency, informed media representatives that aftershocks could occur, particularly within the next two to three days. The earthquake’s epicenter was determined to be 36 kilometers (22 miles) deep, causing tremors that affected a wide region in Kyushu.
Footage from NHK showed active traffic and brightly lit streets, signifying that electricity remained operational post-earthquake. Additionally, there were no reported issues with nuclear facilities in the vicinity. Japan frequently experiences seismic activity due to its position along the so-called “Ring of Fire,” an area rich in volcanoes and tectonic faults around the Pacific Ocean.
Following the quake, experts from the meteorological agency convened late Monday to discuss potential correlations with previous seismic activity in the Nankai Trough region, known to be susceptible to significant earthquakes. However, they opted against implementing any extraordinary precautions for the time being. A notable Nankai Trough earthquake occurred off Shikoku in 1946, resulting in over 1,300 fatalities, while a 7.1 magnitude quake shook the area last August.
