Violent series of earthquakes in Japan – dozens dead, “significant damage”
Violent series of earthquakes in Japan trigger tsunami waves
Japan was shaken by a violent series of earthquakes and hit by tsunami waves on New Year’s Day. The Japanese meteorological agency said the first tsunami waves made landfall in Ishikawa Prefecture. The residents had previously been asked to flee to higher areas.
Strong earthquakes struck central Japan on New Year’s Day, the strongest having a magnitude of 7.6. Dozens of people were killed and others are believed to have been trapped under rubble. There were 90 aftershocks and there are warnings of further severe quakes in the next few days.
bDozens have died in a series of powerful earthquakes in Japan, several Japanese news agencies reported on Tuesday. More victims are feared under the rubble of collapsed buildings. According to the authorities, the extent of the destruction caused by earthquakes and aftershocks is not yet known. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida spoke of “numerous victims” and “significant damage”, including collapsed buildings and fires. Rescuing the survivors is a “race against time”. Thousands of soldiers have been deployed to the worst-hit Noto peninsula. It’s icy cold there. The power supply is interrupted.
The center of Japan was shaken by a series of severe earthquakes on New Year’s Day and hit by tsunami waves over a meter high. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the country has been hit by a total of 155 quakes since Monday, including one of magnitude 7.6. According to the information, the most severe quake occurred around 4:10 p.m. (local time, 8:10 a.m. CET). The US Earthquake Observatory USGS gave the magnitude as 7.5. In total, more than 90 other less strong quakes were recorded. The Japanese earthquake authority warns of further severe tremors in the next few days.
“All residents must immediately move to higher areas,” the public broadcaster NHK said because of the tsunami danger. An NHK presenter added: “We understand that your home, your possessions are precious to you, but your life is more important than anything else. Run to the highest area possible.”
The other Japanese broadcasters also interrupted their programs to warn people about the impending tsunami. A 1.20 meter high tsunami wave was reported from the city of Wajima just ten minutes after the severe earthquake.
Source: Infographic WELT
According to the government, the operation of nuclear power plants in Japan was initially not affected by the earthquakes and tidal waves. “It has been confirmed that there are no anomalies at the Shika Nuclear Power Plant (in Ishikawa) and other power plants as of now,” said government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi.
Local energy suppliers said that around 33,500 households lost power following the earthquake. The prefectures of Toyama, Ishikawa and Niigata on the main island of Honshu were affected. Major roads were closed near the epicenter of the severe quake, the operator said. Shinkansen bullet train journeys between Tokyo and the Noto region have also been suspended, according to the Japanese Railways.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center later gave the all-clear
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center largely gave the all-clear regarding dangerous tidal waves during the day. “The tsunami threat is now largely over,” said the warning center based in the US state of Hawaii on Monday afternoon.
Cracks in the ground in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture
Source: AP
The tremors caused by the earthquake caused houses to shake even in the capital Tokyo, as journalists from the AFP news agency reported. The exact extent of the damage caused by the natural disaster was initially unclear. Photos from the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper from Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture showed a partially collapsed house and deep cracks in streets. According to television reports, a house in Wajima also caught fire.
In Wajima, the earthquake destroyed streets and houses
Source: via REUTERS
A video was published on the X network showing a number of fallen wooden houses. A voice comments: “This is the Matsunami district on Noto. We are in a terrible situation. Please come and help us.”
Biden offers help to Japan
US President Joe Biden offered support to Japan after the series of earthquakes. The US President said his government is in contact with Japanese officials and is ready to provide the Japanese people with any necessary help.
Japan lies on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates collide. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions often occur in this area. That’s why strict building regulations apply in Japan and earthquake drills take place regularly.
On March 11, 2011, the east coast of Japan was hit by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and a tsunami. The natural disaster killed 18,000 people. The tsunami also hit the Fukushima nuclear power plant, causing massive explosions and meltdowns in three reactors. It was the world’s worst nuclear accident since the Chernobyl disaster in 1986.
In early May 2023, Ishikawa Prefecture was struck by a magnitude 6.3 earthquake. One person was killed and 49 others were injured.