Japan was rocked by twin earthquakes on Thursday, August 8, triggering a tsunami advisory across several regions. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a 6.9-magnitude quake followed by a stronger 7.1-magnitude tremor. The quakes struck at depths of 33 and 25 kilometers, respectively, off the southwestern islands of Kyushu and Shikoku.
The Japan Meteorological Agency issued tsunami advisories, warning that waves up to one meter could hit coastal areas. “Tsunamis will strike repeatedly. Please do not enter the sea or approach the coast until the warning is lifted,” the agency cautioned on social media platform X.
While no immediate major damage was reported, authorities remain vigilant, with 20-centimeter-high waves already observed in Miyazaki prefecture. A special task force has been established by the Japanese government to monitor the situation, according to AFP.
This latest seismic activity follows a series of significant quakes in Japan this year. On January 1, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck the Noto Peninsula, resulting in over 260 deaths and leaving 30,000 households in the Ishikawa region without power and water for several days.
Japan, situated on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” is one of the most earthquake-prone countries globally. The nation, home to around 125 million people, experiences approximately 1,500 tremors annually, accounting for 18 percent of the world’s earthquakes.