Japan has issued a megaquake advisory after Monday’s 7.6 magnitude earthquake, warning of increased risk of a magnitude-8 or larger quake within the next week that could trigger a devastating 98-foot tsunami
Japan has issued a megaquake warning following Monday’s earthquake that rocked the country’s eastern coast, resulting in over 30 injuries and a residential fire.
Monday’s quake, registering at a significant 7.6 on the Richter scale, could have wreaked extensive damage across vast areas, prompting the Japan Meteorological Agency to warn of an increased risk of a subsequent, magnitude-8 or larger quake within the next week, reports the Mirror.
Government reports suggest another offshore megaquake in the Hokkaido-Sanriku area could trigger a colossal 98-foot tsunami, potentially killing up to 199,000 people, demolishing as many as 220,000 homes and buildings, and causing economic damages estimated at a staggering 31 trillion yen ($198 billion).
Government estimates also indicate that as many as 42,000 people could suffer from hypothermia during winter.
In response, the JMA has issued an earthquake alert, warning of an increased likelihood of a major tremor of magnitude 8 or higher along the Japan Trench and the Chishima Trench off Hokkaido.
Officials are now urging residents, particularly those residing along the coast, to be ready to evacuate at the first sign of tremors. The warning spans from Hokkaido to Chiba Prefecture, marking the first advisory of its kind for the region since the introduction of the mega-quake warning category in 2022, and covers approximately 800 miles of coastline.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has issued a stern warning to her nation’s citizens to stay alert, regardless of their location, and to evacuate promptly if any tremors are detected.
“Due to this earthquake, the likelihood of a large earthquake occurring from Hokkaido to the Sanriku offshore region is now assessed to be higher than normal. Accordingly, the ‘Off the Coast of Hokkaido and Sanriku Subsequent Earthquake Advisory’ has been issued,” she announced on Tuesday.
In her address to Japan, she emphasised that while it remains uncertain whether a significant earthquake will indeed occur, locals should still prepare accordingly.
“Regardless of whether your area was affected by this earthquake, residents in regions where disaster-preparedness measures are advised should, over the next week or so, pay close attention to information from the Japan Meteorological Agency and local authorities,” she advised.
“In addition to routinely confirming earthquake preparedness – such as identifying safe evacuation sites and routes and securing furniture – please stay prepared to evacuate immediately if you feel any shaking.”
Authorities stressed that the advisory isn’t a forecast, noting that the likelihood of a magnitude eight or greater tremor stands at merely one per cent.
Nevertheless, Japanese officials hope the warning will jolt anyone who might have grown complacent following Japan’s devastating 2011 earthquakes, which claimed nearly 20,000 lives and obliterated a nuclear facility.
On Monday, Japan also issued a tsunami alert after a powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake was registered near an eastern coastal region.
The tremor hit off Aomori Prefecture’s coastline.
One individual, writing on X, reported the impact made their “whole house” shake.
“Holy **** that was the biggest earthquake I’ve ever felt,” the person wrote. “Whole house shaking.”
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