- Tsunami warnings were sent out in Japan, North Korea, South Korea and areas in Russia
- The earthquake was measured at a magnitude of 7.6 and a number of aftershocks of over 4 have been recorded
- People were asked to evacuate to higher ground or into tall buildings
- This is the most extensive tsunami warning since 2011 and the authorities are warning that more waves may come towards land
The map shows the area where a tsunami warning has been issued.
– An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 struck northern Japan on Monday, public broadcaster NHK reports.
The earthquake was triggered in the sea just outside the Noto Peninsula, which lies in the Ishikawa region. It is the first time such a powerful earthquake has been recorded there.
The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued a tsunami warning along the coastal areas of Ishikawa, Niigata and Toyama, which lie along the coast of the Sea of Japan.
Now they are warning that there may be new strong earthquakes with a magnitude of 7 in the next few days.
The governing authorities also take precautions against fires and the risk of landslides in exposed areas.
Evacuate large area
The town of Wajima is said to have been hit by waves of 1 meter and 20 centimetres. On the Notohalvøya, they fear waves of up to 5 metres.
Photo: jma.go
People have been asked to get away from the coastal area in the affected areas, reports NHK.
– People must prepare for more earthquakes and get there safely, says the Japanese government’s spokesperson, Yoshimasa Hayashi.
The quake is said to have also been felt in the Tokyo metropolitan area.
A tsunami warning has also been issued for the Gangwon coast in South Korea and the Russian Sakhalin Islands, Vladivostok and Nakhodka.
The warning for Sakhalin has now been withdrawn, while Gangwon province has been hit by a 45 centimeter high tsunami wave.
The earthquake was registered at all Norsar’s stations in Norway and at the Troll station in Antarctica.
An eyewitness filmed how the quake was felt on board a train.
– Very scared
The Japanese broadcaster NHK has spoken to several people who felt the powerful earthquake.
– We were very scared, eyewitnesses told the TV station.
Several power companies are now checking possible consequences for nuclear power plants along the coast. So far, no injuries have been found that could be dangerous.
Around 36,000 homes and buildings are without power.
On 11 March 2011, Fukushima in Japan was hit by an earthquake and tsunami. This led to a meltdown of the nuclear power plant. About 18,000 people died.
On 26 December 2004, an earthquake in the Indian Ocean led to a tsunami that killed over 200,000 people, including 84 Norwegians.
2024-01-01 10:53:32
#Large #earthquake #triggered #Japan
