3 months ago
19
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A 5.6-magnitude earthquake struck near
Japan
’s remote
Izu Islands
on Tuesday, according to the United States Geological Survey (
USGS
). In response, Japan’s
Meteorological Agency
(JMA) issued a tsunami warning, predicting waves of up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) to hit the Izu Islands by 8:30 am (local time) and the Ogasawara Islands by 9:00 am (local time).
The epicenter of the quake was about 180 kilometers (111 miles) south of the island.
Although many residents reported that they didn’t felt the tremors, a tsunami of approximately 50 centimetres (20 inches) was detected in the Yaene district on
Hachijo Island
, located 300 kilometres (186 miles) south of Tokyo, reported the news agency AP.
The JMA reported no immediate damage or injuries, but residents on Hachijo Island were alerted by tsunami warnings. Japan is well-prepared for such incidents, being one of the most earthquake and tsunami-prone nations in the world due to its tectonic location.
Japan sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” which is renowned as a
seismic hotspot
responsible for around 1,500 earthquakes annually. While many quakes are minor, advanced construction techniques and well-practised
emergency procedures
help mitigate damage from larger tremors.
