On Monday morning, a powerful earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale struck Japan’s central region, triggering widespread tsunami warnings along the country’s coasts.
Initial waves exceeding 1.2 meters have already hit the shores of Wajima city in Ishikawa Prefecture, while smaller waves reached Niigata and Toyama prefectures. Authorities warn of potentially larger waves reaching up to 5 meters in Ishikawa Prefecture later.
The earthquake struck at 9:45 am Japan Standard Time (JST), with its epicenter located approximately 100 kilometers off the Noto Peninsula. Several strong aftershocks followed, raising concerns about further damage and landslides. The Japan Meteorological Agency warns of a possible 7-magnitude earthquake within the next two or three days.
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Tsunami warnings remain in effect for coastal areas within a 300-kilometer radius of the epicenter. Residents in at-risk areas are urged to evacuate immediately to higher ground. Lower waves have already hit Wajima, Kashiwaki, and Toyama, and the potential for larger waves reaching 5 meters in Ishikawa Prefecture remains high.
The extent of damage is still being assessed, but power outages affecting over 36,000 households have been reported. The Hokuriku Electric Company is working to restore power. No abnormalities have been detected at nuclear facilities so far.
Local authorities are coordinating evacuation efforts and urging residents to follow instructions. Emergency response teams are deployed to the affected areas.
While this earthquake shares similarities with the devastating 2011 disaster regarding its location and tsunami triggering, its magnitude is lower, and the initial wave heights observed so far are significantly smaller. However, the situation remains fluid, and vigilance is crucial.
