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A tsunami warning has been issued in Japan after a massive 7.1 magnitude earthquake has hit the region with fears that the sea level could rise by one metre on the Pacific coast
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Japan earthquake: USGS shake map shows area impacted
A massive 7.1 magnitude earthquake has rocked Japan sparking fears of a tsunami.
Authorities have issued a tsunami warning with a risk of a rising sea level of one metre on the Pacific coast of the western islands of Kyushu and Shikoku.
The 7.1 magnitude earthquake occurred today at 4:42 pm local time near Miyazaki, Japan, the United States Geological Survey reported. The Japan Meteorological Agency has also recorded the magnitude as 7.1 with the epicentre at Hyuganada Sea.
"According to preliminary data, the quake was located at a very shallow depth of 8.8 km. Shallow earthquakes are felt more strongly than deeper ones as they are closer to the surface," states volcanicdiscovery.com.
"The exact magnitude, epicentre, and depth of the quake might be revised within the next few hours or minutes as seismologists review data and refine their calculations, or as other agencies issue their report. Based on the preliminary seismic data, the quake should have been felt by everybody in the area of the epicentre. In those areas, dangerous ground shaking occurred with the potential to inflict moderate to heavy damage to buildings and other infrastructure."
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Tim Hanlon
Earthquake summary - Damage and injuries but no loss of life
Japan was rocked by a 7.1 magnitude earthquake today that has caused plenty of damage and some injuries but there are no reports of deaths.
But the Japan Meteorological Agency is calling on people in areas of the Nankai Trough Earthquake to take disaster prevention measures. It says the possibility of a mega earthquake is higher than usual. It is asking people to take prevention measures in accordance with information provided by the central and local governments.
Tim Hanlon
Trains to travel at reduced speed due to massive quake threat
Trains in part of Japan are being run at reduced speed due to the threat of a major earthquake.
On the line between Mishima Station in Shizuoka Prefecture and Mikawa-Anjo Station in Aichi Prefecture there will be speed restrictions in place. Similarly there will be a reduced speed on other lines including between Hiratsuka and Atami as well as Atami and Ito.
Services of the Kyushu and Nishi Kyushu shinkansen bullet trains were temporarily suspended due to the quake, the operator said. A ferry from Miyazaki to Kobe in western Japan was cancelled.
Fiona Leishman
Japan Airlines warns of delays and cancellations at Miyazaki Airport
Japan Airlines has warned passengers that they face "delays and cancellations" for flights to or from Miyazaki Airport following the earthquake.
In a statement on its website, the airline wrote: "At around 4.43pm on August 8, a strong earthquake occurred in Miyazaki Prefecture. Currently, we are verifying the safety of Miyazaki Airport facilities, which is causing delays and cancellations.
"We recommend checking the latest flight status of your flight from [the] flight arrival and departure information search above. We will continue to update this page with the latest information as the situation changes."
Tim Hanlon
Students evacuated from sports centre after 'explosion' as earthquake hit
In Osaki, in the Kagoshima Prefecture, there was a mass evacuation of students who had gathered from around the country at a sports centre. Young people from schools and universities have been at the sports facility to practise track and field, and all had to go outside as a precaution.
A member of staff told NHK: "I was outside at the time, and at first I heard a rumbling sound like wind vibrating, and I thought it might have been an explosion at Sakurajima. After that, the shaking got more and more intense, and I realised it was an earthquake. There was a few seconds of strong shaking that made it difficult to stand, and then weaker shaking continued."
Fiona Leishman
Flooding reported at Aeon Mall in Miyazaki
There have been reports of flooding at the Aeon Mall in Miyazaki following the earthquake. Footage circulating on social media shows the interior of a store with water pouring from sections of the ceiling and pooling on the floor. Residents have reported that "the water pipes at Aeon have cracked and water is dripping out".
地震のせいでイオンの水道管割れちゃって水垂れ流れてる pic.twitter.com/WLC2FiH9dq
— ワグナリア山田 (@mihokawagoe) August 8, 2024
Fiona Leishman
Photo shows building damage being assessed
Police have been photographed assessing the damage to buildings in Miyazaki, western Japan, following the earlier earthquake.
Tim Hanlon
People told to take 'disaster prevention measures' over risk of major earthquake
A warning has been made about a major earthquake that could potentially hit Japan after the 7.1 magnitude quake today.
The Japan Meteorological Agency issued "Nankai Trough Earthquake Emergency Information" which is a warning that a possible large-scale earthquake occurring in the area of the Nankai Trough earthquake is higher than usual. It is calling for people to take disaster prevention measures in accordance with information from the government and local authorities
Tim Hanlon
Fears over tremor and potential massive trench-type earthquake
A major 7.1 magnitude tremor could be connected to a potentially devastating trench-type earthquake, it is feared.
As of January, the Japanese government's Earthquake Research Committee forecasted a 70% to 80% likelihood that a quake with a magnitude of 8.0 to 9.0 will occur near the Nankai Trough within the next 30 years. In 2012, the government estimated that up to 323,000 people could die in the megaquake
At a press conference held by the Japan Meteorological Agency at 5:45pm local time, Shigeki Aoki, earthquake and tsunami planning officer, mentioned that meetings had begun of an "evaluation review committee" made up of experts on the connection to a Nankai Trough earthquake.
He said: "We are conducting an investigation into the connection to a large-scale earthquake anticipated in the Nankai Trough. At this time, we ask that people in areas expected to be affected take action to protect their own safety according to their individual circ*mstances."
Tim Hanlon
Three people injured in Miyazaki during quake and as people rushed to evacuate
Authorities have so far said that three people sustained injured in in Miyazaki Prefecture due to the earthquake that originated in the Hyuga-Nada Sea.
According to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency as of 6pm local time two people were hurt in the city of Miyazaki, one of whom fell and sustained minor injuries while evacuating, and the other was hit by a falling object with their condition unknown. In addition, one person fell in Miyakonojo with the extent of their injuries also not given.
Tim Hanlon
Evacuation order made for Japanese town
An evacuation warning has been issued for the town of Toyo in Japan following an earthquake and fears of a tsunami.
"Toyo. An evacuation order was issued at 6:20 pm #Koura district," read a message on social media, with Toyo in the region worst affected by the quake today. It has a population of more than 2,000 people.
Tim Hanlon
Road closed by rock falls and multiple reports of damage in Miyazaki
A road has been closed due to a rock fall and there have been 10 reports of damage to property in Miyazki following the earthquake.
According to the Miyazaki Prefectural Police Headquarters, as of 5:25pm local time, a total of 10 reports of damage have been received.
Miyazaki River and National Highway Office is also stating a rockfall occurred on National Highway 220 in Nichinan City, Miyazaki Prefecture, causing the road to be closed between Miyanoura and Kazeta in Nichinan City.
Tim Hanlon
'We can confirm human injuries and property damage' says government spokesman
An earthquake has led to injuries and property damage, a Japanese government spokesman said.
Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa told a press conference that a crisis management team was set up by the government following the earthquake.
"We will continue to grasp the extent of damage and closely coordinate with local governments. We will make an utmost effort to take disaster emergency measures, placing top priority on rescue operations mainly by police, fire departments, self-defence forces and the Japan Coast Guard," he said.
"We are currently confirming the relationship with the Nankai Trough Earthquake. We can confirm human injuries and property damage." He did not though go into details of the injuries at this stage
Tim Hanlon
Tsunami up to 50cm so far measured with warning in place
A tsunami so far up to 50 centimetres has been measured with fears it could rise to one metre.
Warnings of a tsunami were issued for Kochi, Ehime, Oita, Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures. And tsunamis with heights of around 50 centimeters and 20 cm was observed in Miyazaki and southwestern Kochi, respectively, Japan's weather agency said.
It also stated that quakes with a seismic intensity of around six could happen for about a week.
Liam Doyle
Video shows cliff collapsing after 'cracking sound'
A social media user from Japan has posted a video of a collapsed cliff they said they saw deteriorate following a "cracking sound".
They wrote: "I was standing on the bank and the wind started blowing and when I returned to the car the cliff suddenly collapsed with a cracking sound (lol)."
堤防で風に当たってたらグラッと来て車に戻っていたら崖がバキバキ音を立てて崩れた(笑)#志布志港 pic.twitter.com/2Es23H6tsz
— 1nose (@1nose6) August 8, 2024
Sophie Bateman
Shopping mall sways violently in alarming video
A video posted online shows shoppers cowering in fear as television screens and racks of clothing sway in today's earthquake.
A witness at the scene said on X (formerly Twitter) that the complex "shook really badly".
緊急地震速報！ イオンの中いたけどめっちゃ揺れた。 pic.twitter.com/t0ogAWFnao
— 芽依 (@mei_pg1) August 8, 2024
KEY EVENT
Map shows areas impacted by tsunami warning
A new map shows the areas on the receiving end of tsunami warnings issued by the Japanese government.
People are preparing for the potential impact from a massive undersea earthquake, with only coastal areas deemed at risk at present.
Liam Doyle
Miyzaki flights suspended as officials checking for damage to runway
Flights to and from Miyzaki aiport have been suspended while authorities investigate whether there is damage to the runway.
Officials with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's Miyazaki Airport Office are currently looking over the airport. There have been no reports of injuries at the airport.
Liam Doyle
Nuclear plant operators checking for damage
Nuclear plant operators are checking for damage to their reactors following the tremors this morning.
The AP has reported that operators of plants on Kyushu and Shikoku said they were checking to see if there was any damage to them.
Liam Doyle
Locals crouch on the ground as tremors strike Nagasaki
A new picture posted from Nagasaki show people trying to protect themselves from the earthquake by crouching on the ground at the Peace Park.
Liam Doyle
Miyzaki Airport passengers moved to 'upper floor'
The strong tremors from today's earthquake has led staff at Miyzaki airport to evacuate some passengers.
A social media user posting on Twitter said they were moved to an upper floor following "quite a bit" of shaking. They said: "At Miyazaki Airport now. It was shaking quite a bit. Everyone is evacuating to the second and third floors."
Alahna Kindred
What has been said so far?
"According to preliminary data, the quake was located at a very shallow depth of 8.8 km. Shallow earthquakes are felt more strongly than deeper ones as they are closer to the surface" states volcanicdiscovery.com.
"The exact magnitude, epicenter, and depth of the quake might be revised within the next few hours or minutes as seismologists review data and refine their calculations, or as other agencies issue their report.
"Based on the preliminary seismic data, the quake should have been felt by everybody in the area of the epicenter. In those areas, dangerous ground shaking occurred with the potential to inflict moderate to heavy damage to buildings and other infrastructure."
Alahna Kindred
People evacuating Miyazaki Airport
Video shared online shows people evacuating a major airport. People described seeing everything shaking as items fall of shelves.
— テキトーオーカー (@crawler1990mc) August 8, 2024宮崎空港なう
けっこう揺れました。みんな2階3階に避難してます#earthquake_jp #地震 pic.twitter.com/B4TsURsg6i
Tim Hanlon
Towns and cities left shaking
Shaking has been felt in towns and cities in Japan closest to the epicentre.
Strong ground shaking has been felt in Kirishima, 68 kilometres away and Kanoya 72 kilometres from the epicentre.
