5.9 Quake Shakes Japan Again, Weather Agency Warns of Possible Magnitude-8 Earthquake
Japan was jolted by yet another powerful earthquake on Wednesday, a 5.9-magnitude tremor that marked the country’s third significant quake in as many days. On Japan’s own seismic intensity scale, the quake also registered 5.9, but authorities confirmed that no tsunami warning was issued. The latest shock was felt most strongly across eastern Aomori and parts of Hokkaido, with the epicentre at an estimated depth of about 30 kilometres.
Wednesday’s quake followed a 7.6-magnitude earthquake on Monday and a 6.7-magnitude tremor reported in Honcho on Tuesday. Monday’s major quake has already injured at least 51 people, and officials have cautioned that the number of injured is likely to rise as assessments continue. Buildings shook violently, roads cracked open, windows shattered and small tsunami waves of up to 70 centimetres (around 28 inches) were recorded after the earlier quake.
On Tuesday, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued a rare “megaquake advisory”, warning that Monday’s powerful tremor had significantly increased the likelihood of another massive event potentially magnitude 8 or higher within the coming week. The agency said seismic strain has built up along the Hokkaido–Sanriku coastline, where the Pacific Plate dives beneath Japan in the subduction zone that includes the Japan Trench and Chishima Trench, an area known for generating many of the nation’s most powerful earthquakes. The JMA also highlighted parallels with 2011, when a magnitude 7.3 quake struck two days before the devastating 9.0 event, noting a similar pattern appears to be unfolding now.
Read More: Japan Earthquake Triggers Small Tsunamis; Advisory Issued After 6.8-magnitude Jolt
Residents in coastal and high-risk areas have been urged to stay alert, keep emergency supplies ready and be prepared to evacuate quickly if necessary, as any large follow-up quake could trigger a significant tsunami or intense ground shaking. Authorities and disaster experts have also reiterated standard earthquake safety guidelines, including securing heavy fixtures and shelves, placing heavy objects on lower racks, staying indoors during shaking when possible, dropping to the ground, taking cover under sturdy furniture and holding on until tremors stop, as well as keeping away from glass, windows, exterior walls and objects that could fall.