Two powerful earthquakes struck off Japan’s southern island of Kyushu on Thursday, shaking the region and raising concerns about potential damage and tsunami threats. The first earthquake, registering a magnitude of 6.9, was followed by a stronger 7.1 magnitude tremor, according to the United States Geological Survey. The Japan Meteorological Agency pinpointed the epicenter of the quakes off the eastern coast of Kyushu’s southern main island at a depth of approximately 30 kilometers.
Following the powerful earthquakes, the agency issued a tsunami advisory, warning of waves up to 1 meter high along the southern coast of Kyushu and the nearby island of Shikoku. Operators of nuclear plants on these islands immediately began inspections to assess for any potential damage. Japan’s NHK public television reported broken windows at the Miyazaki airport, located near the epicenter.
Japan, situated on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a zone of intense seismic activity encircling the Pacific Ocean, is no stranger to earthquakes. The country frequently experiences tremors, making it one of the most earthquake-prone nations globally. Just recently, on January 1, a devastating earthquake in Japan’s north-central region of Noto resulted in over 240 fatalities.
