A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Pacífico ocean Monday afternoon off the coast of Iwate, northeast of Japão. The shock occurred at around 4:53 pm local time. Tremores were felt in distant areas, including in Tóquio.
Moradores from coastal regions received evacuation orders. Mais of 170,000 people were told to leave low-lying areas near the sea and rivers. The initial warning predicted tsunami waves of up to three meters. Real Ondas reached 80 centimeters in the port of Kuji, in Iwate, and 40 centimeters in Miyako, also in Iwate.
The tsunami warning was downgraded to a warning and then lifted altogether before midnight.
Tremor registered at shallow depth
The epicenter was about 100 kilometers off the coast of Iwate, at an estimated depth of between 10 and 20 kilometers. Agência Meteorológica of Japão has revised the magnitude several times. The shaking lasted about 12 seconds.
Intensidade seismic reached top 5 on the Japanese scale in parts of Aomori, Iwate and Miyagi. Edifícios swung at Tóquio, hundreds of miles away.
- Tremores felt from Hokkaido to more southern regions
- Nenhum immediate report of fatalities or serious structural damage
- Poucas homes were left without electricity
- Bullet train Serviços temporarily stopped on some lines
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said there were no initial reports of injuries or significant destruction. Trens returned to circulation on Monday night.
Alerta of greater risk for shaking magnitude 8 or greater
Japão’s Agência Meteorológica issued a special statement just hours after the tremor. The risk of an even larger earthquake, magnitude 8.0 or greater, has become relatively higher than normal in the coming days.
Autoridades estimate probability of around 1% in the next seven days. In ordinary times, the index is around 0.1%. The notice covers 182 municipalities between Hokkaido and Chiba.
Moradores received guidance to review emergency plans. The order included keeping escape routes and survival kits ready. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reinforced the message of seeking elevated and safe places.
Memória from 2011 disaster still present
Japão sits in Anel of Fogo of Pacífico and records about 1,500 earthquakes per year. Muitos recall the event of March 2011, when a magnitude 9.0 earthquake generated a devastating tsunami and nuclear crisis in Fukushima.
Monday’s tremor occurred in the same region as Sanriku, known for its vulnerability to tsunamis. Funcionários from the meteorological agency urged the population to remember the lessons of 2011 without panicking.
Medidas precautionary measure adopted in several city halls
Prefeituras from the north have activated evacuation centers. Alto speakers alerted residents in neighborhoods close to the sea. Office Trabalhadores received early release in some locations.
A resident of foreign origin in Hokkaido reported that the tremor was moderate, but guidance came quickly over loudspeakers. Response Equipes monitored ports and roads.
Nenhum Major damage appeared in footage broadcast live by public broadcaster NHK.
Current Situação and authorities’ next steps
The tsunami warning has been completely suspended. Ainda therefore, the focus remains on monitoring possible replicas. The meteorological agency has teams on duty to update the population.
Especialistas reinforce that the additional risk does not mean that a megaquake will occur. Mesmo therefore, the advice is to be cautious in the coming days, especially in the coastal areas of the northeast.
The federal government and local city halls continue to coordinate to assess any secondary impacts. Até the moment, the priority remains on preventive security.
