This Monday, January 1, 2024, central Japan was hit by an exceptional succession of large earthquakes, with consequences that are still uncertain.
An unprecedented telluric sequence
Between 1:10 p.m. and 2:40 p.m. local time, no less than 21 aftershocks of magnitude 4 and above were recorded by the dense network of seismological stations of the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) around the estimated epicenter in the coastal area of the Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa Department. The main earthquake recorded a destructive magnitude of 7.6 on the Richter scale, one of the highest ever observed in the region.
Mass evacuations ordered
In view of the exceptional violence of this ongoing seismic crisis, the prefectural authorities immediately triggered the maximum tsunami alert level. More than 100,000 people living within a 30 km radius of the coastline have been instructed to reach higher ground as quickly as possible, for fear of devastating waves.
Widespread damage and service outages
According to electricity supplier Tepco, as many as 33,500 homes remained without power at the start of the evening in Ishikawa, Noto and the most exposed neighboring districts. Furthermore, automobile and rail traffic remains completely interrupted on almost all roads and shinkansen lines connecting the disaster area.
Imminent arrival of a mega-tsunami
According to real-time weather modeling, the first waves of the tidal wave generated by the initial tremor are expected to reach the coasts in the coming hours. Although modest precursor waves of 1.20m have already broken on the coast of Wajima, the JMA maintains a disaster scenario of giant liquid hurricanes of more than 5m in height as a credible hypothesis.
Maximum surveillance around nuclear power
The region’s nuclear power plants, located near the epicenter, currently remain in their automatic safety shutdown phase. The Japanese government is already considering a possible preventive evacuation plan for surrounding areas in the event of new major earthquakes.
Fears of a transpacific tsunami, Russia on alert
In Russia, coastal cities in the Far East such as Vladivostok and Khabarovsk are observing the situation with anxiety. Devastating waves could also hit their cliffs in the coming hours, according to established propagation models.
My name is Ethan, I’m 30 years old, and I’m the founder of this magazine. After studying journalism, I quickly decided to go freelance to be able to write as I wanted and talk about my true passions. I aim to create an information hub where French and international news is treated seriously and with insight. My goal is to enlighten my readers’ daily lives and encourage a deeper understanding of current issues.
