6.2 magnitude earthquake detected in Japan, no tsunami warning issued
Multiple earthquakes, with one registering at a magnitude of 6.2, hit western Japan late Tuesday morning local time. The epicenter was in Shimane Prefecture and neighboring Tottori Prefecture.
The first quake struck at 10:18 a.m. JST, with a magnitude of 6.2 and a depth of about 6 miles. It registered an upper 5 on Japan’s seismic intensity scale. A second tremor of magnitude 5.1 followed shortly after, registering a lower 5. Reports of long, swaying motion were widespread, with additional aftershocks continuing through late morning.
The Japan Meteorological Agency has stated that there is no tsunami risk associated with these earthquakes. However, they have warned that earthquakes with intensities of up to upper 5 could persist for about a week, with the highest risk in the next two to three days.
Authorities have also alerted about the increased likelihood of landslides and falling rocks in the areas most affected by the quakes. Despite the intense shaking, there have been no reports of injuries so far. Two regional electric power companies have reported no abnormalities, although bullet train services were briefly disrupted. Cameras mounted on buildings captured the visible shaking caused by the quakes.
The most severe shaking was recorded in parts of Matsue and Yasugi in Shimane Prefecture, as well as Sakaiminato and neighboring towns in Tottori Prefecture. Weaker but still noticeable shaking extended into other parts of western Japan, including Okayama, Hiroshima, Kagawa, and Ehime.
This natural event serves as a reminder of the seismic activity that Japan experiences due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire. The country is well-prepared for such occurrences, with advanced early warning systems and resilient infrastructure to minimize the impact of earthquakes on its population.
