Japan: Powerful Earthquake (7.1 Magnitude) but Little Damage
Meanwhile, fears are growing about a potentially very destructive future earthquake in the Nankai Trough
A strong earthquake off the coast of Nichinan, east of the southern island of Kyushu in southern Japan, was recorded on August 8. The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.1, with a hypocenter at a depth of 30 kilometers.
No major damage was reported, and only 3 people were injured in the first hours after the quake. In the early hours, there was widespread concern about possible tsunami risks (given the Fukushima tragedy in 2011), but then the anxiety subsided, and only a few small tsunamis were recorded along the coast in Miyazaki and Kochi prefectures.
No anomalies were detected at potentially affected nuclear power plants in Ikata and Sendai, Ehime and Kagoshima prefectures. While Shinkansen high-speed train service in the area was temporarily suspended.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) explained that the risk of a devastating earthquake in the Nankai Trough area, also on the Pacific coast, has become higher following the latest data: the public has been told to prepare for any eventuality, given the authorities’ latest estimates, which say there is a 70-80% chance that a magnitude 8 or 9 earthquake could hit the area within 30 years. And it could lead to the deaths of more than 300,000 people.
