Japan earthquake live: Megaquake warning issued along 800-mile coastline

Megaquakes are inherently unpredictable and can strike anywhere in Japan without warning.

However, the Japanese Meteorological Agency has said that sometimes they are preceded by “some small” earthquakes of magnitude 7 or greater.

Historically, two major earthquakes occurred only one to two days after such preceding events.

For example, in 2011 there was a magnitude 7.3 earthquake in Sanriku, which was followed two days later by the magnitude 9.0 Great East Japan Earthquake.

Similarly, in 1963, a magnitude 7 earthquake occurred southeast of Etorofu Island, followed 18 hours later by a magnitude 8.5 earthquake.

Despite these cases, the agency has stated that – based on global earthquake data – the chance of a major earthquake occurring after such an advisory is issued is only about one percent, or approximately once in every 100 advisories.

After a 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck off the east coast of Aomori Prefecture on Monday, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued its first special advisory for a possible follow-up earthquake and tsunami in the Hokkaido and Sanriku coastal areas.

According to local media outlets, the government advises that people remain on alert for about a week.

The risk of additional earthquakes and tsunamis is highest immediately after the initial large earthquake and gradually decreases over time.

Although the one-week period is not based on exact scientific data, it serves as a guideline for increased vigilance, japan times noted.

Officials have said there is no need to stop daily activities, but residents should double-check their general earthquake preparedness during this period.

This advisory is officially called an “Earthquake Advisory off the coast of Hokkaido and Sanriku”.

The Japan Meteorological Agency says Monday’s powerful earthquake has temporarily raised potential hazards for areas of Hokkaido and the Sanriku coast.

It is here that the Pacific Plate beneath Japan forms two trenches – the Japan Trench and the Chishima Trench – that have caused many large earthquakes in the past.

Experts say that the deadly earthquake and tsunami of 2011 was caused by movements related to the Japan Trench. It extends from the east coast of Chiba to Aomori, and the Chishima Trench runs from the east coast of Hokkaido to the northern islands and the Kuriles.

Explaining the advisory, the JMA said the magnitude 9.0 earthquake that struck large parts of Japan’s northern coast on March 11, 2011, came two days after a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck the Japan Trench on the east coast of Iwate, one of the areas hardest hit by that disaster as well as Monday’s earthquake.

The 2011 earthquake caused a tsunami that devastated northern coastal cities in Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima prefectures.

The tsunami, which reached a height of 15 meters (50 ft) in some areas, struck and destroyed the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. This created a deep fear of radiation that persists to this day.

A general view shows a fire that broke out after the earthquake in Aomori city on Tuesday.

At least 10 people are reported injured after a massive earthquake struck northern Japan and triggered tsunami waves up to 70 centimeters high, but there was no major damage.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said about 800 homes were without power due to the earthquake.

Additionally, Shinkansen bullet trains and some local lines were suspended in parts of the region early Tuesday. East Japan Railways said bullet trains resumed operating in the region later Tuesday.

According to Tohoku Electric Power Co., power had been mostly restored by Tuesday morning.

According to Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, about 480 residents were sheltered at Hachinohe Air Base and 18 defense helicopters were deployed to assess the damage.

About 200 passengers were stranded overnight at New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido, a Japanese broadcaster, NHK, reported.

Part of a domestic terminal building was rendered unusable on Tuesday after parts of its roof collapsed and fell to the floor, the airport operator said.

Today Japan was assessing the damage after a late night 7.5 magnitude earthquake that injured 34 people.

The earthquake also caused minor damage and a tsunami in Pacific coastal communities.

Officials are warning people about possible aftershocks.

Prime Minister Sanae Takachi told reporters that an emergency task force had been formed to immediately assess the damage. “We are putting people’s lives first and doing everything we can,” he said.

At a parliamentary session on Tuesday, Takachi promised that the government would continue to do its best and reminded people that they had to protect their own lives.

Japan’s weather agency has issued a megaquake warning, the highest level of earthquake warning, hours after a 7.5-magnitude quake hit the country.

Authorities have urged residents near the Pacific Coast to remain vigilant throughout the coming week and prepare evacuation plans if they need to flee their homes.

At least 33 people were injured in Monday night’s earthquake, with waves as high as 70 cm seen in several coastal communities.

But what exactly is a megaquake? Read more here…

Smaller tremors continued today in northern and central Japan, hours after a 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck Monday night.

A magnitude 6.6 aftershock struck within hours of the initial quake, followed by another magnitude 5.1 quake, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

In less than 24 hours after the earthquake, at least 10 aftershocks of magnitude 1.5 or greater were recorded in Japan.

According to NHK Japan, the earthquake was felt across a wide area of ​​northern and central Japan.