The earthquake had a preliminary magnitude of 7.5
Kyodo News via AP
Japanese officials issued a warning on Monday afternoon following a powerful earthquake off the western coast, alerting of a potential tsunami and evacuation.
Around 4:10 PM, a seismic tremor with a preliminary magnitude of 7.5 struck. According to data from the U.S. Geological Survey, its epicenter is near the Noto Peninsula on the coast of the Japan Sea.
The Japan Meteorological Agency stated that the initial intensity of the earthquake was measured at 7.6. Additionally, more than a dozen smaller aftershocks were reported, including some occurring later in the evening.
Authorities in Japan initially issued a significant tsunami warning for the Noto Peninsula and surrounding Ishikawa Prefecture. However, about five hours later, it was revised to a less severe alert. In the revised warning, it was mentioned that waves of approximately 3 meters or about 10 feet could occur near the earthquake’s epicenter, potentially reaching depths of 5 meters or roughly 16 feet.
Officials immediately advised residents to move to higher ground, and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s office issued a statement urging people in the affected areas to evacuate promptly. The public was also urged to stay away from the shores and keep a safe distance from coastal areas and waterways.
Eugene Hoshiko/AP
A comprehensive tsunami advisory was issued for areas beyond the main warning zone, covering the entire Japan Sea, including the main island of Honshu and the western Hokkaido Island.
Monday’s warning marks the first significant tsunami alert since the devastating 2011 event when a 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck Tohoku, generating destructive and deadly tsunami waves.
Initial reports on Monday evening indicated that tsunami waves began hitting the shores, with reported heights of approximately 1.2 meters in the Noto Peninsula and surrounding Ishikawa and Niigata prefectures. There were also warnings of tsunami waves reaching the distant northern Hokkaido region.
Prime Minister Kishida addressed the public briefly in front of television cameras at his residence, stating that the government is gathering information and assessing the situation. He mentioned the establishment of a disaster response office within his administration. Emphasizing the commitment to accurate assessment, he declared that preserving lives is the top priority.
Kishida urged residents in the affected areas to evacuate and emphasized caution, saying, “I strongly urge local residents in the affected areas to move away. Other people in the region should stay vigilant because there may be further earthquakes ahead.”
An earthquake can be felt in Tokyo, where it has caused power lines to sway and lights to flicker.
Kyodo News via AP
The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that within 90 minutes, they recorded about 19 additional earthquakes with a magnitude above 1.0, including the largest one. The agency described the largest earthquake as “quite strong.”
Video footage broadcasted on local TV showed damaged concrete statues and buildings in ruins.
The National Disaster Management Agency mentioned that firefighting personnel were battling fires in the city of Wajima near the epicenter of the earthquake. The agency reported that additional fires were extinguished in the towns of Kanazawa and Joetsu located on the main island near the Noto Peninsula.