7.1 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Southern Japan, Tsunami Advisory Issued

A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck off the southern coast of Japan on Thursday, leading to a tsunami advisory for several regions in the southwestern islands of Kyushu and Shikoku.

The Japan Meteorological Agency initially reported the quake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.9 but later upgraded it to 7.1.

The earthquake, centered off the eastern coast of Kyushu at a depth of approximately 30 kilometers, has prompted authorities to warn of potential tsunami waves.

According to NHK, the advisory predicts waves of up to 1 meter along the southern coast of Kyushu and the nearby island of Shikoku. The agency has reported 20-centimeter high waves observed in Miyazaki Prefecture on Kyushu, as confirmed by Reuters.

Nuclear plant operators on Kyushu and Shikoku are currently inspecting facilities for any damage. The Sendai nuclear plant in Kagoshima Prefecture has reported no abnormalities and stated that operations will continue as usual.

Japan, situated along the ‘Pacific Ring of Fire,’ is highly susceptible to seismic activity due to its location on several major tectonic plates, including the Pacific Plate, Eurasian Plate, and Indo-Australian Plate. This region is known for frequent earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis.