The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reports that a strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 shook central Japan on Monday and prompted a tsunami warning for the western coast of the nation. According to NHK, the intensity on the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture was seven on the Japanese scale, which goes from zero to seven.
The earthquake struck 42 kilometres northeast of Anamizu, Japan, at 4:10 p.m. local time. The USGS reported that the depth was 10 kilometres. Additionally, it shook central Tokyo buildings. At 4:35 p.m., waves measuring 80 cm made it to Toyama Prefecture, and at 4:36 p.m., waves measuring 40 meters reached Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture. At 4:10 p.m., it also arrived at Sado Island in Niigata.
富山市 萩浦橋 津波到達中 pic.twitter.com/5TJkH4E1Mx
— 鈴木 一 (@hioooomn) January 1, 2024
The tsunami warning urged people to quickly leave coastal areas of Ishikawa, Niigata, Toyama and Yamagata prefectures, with over 1.2-meter waves reaching the Noto Peninsula’s Wajima Port in Ishikawa, NHK reported.
Tsunami warnings were also issued for Niigata, Toyama, Yamagata, Fukui and Hyogo prefectures, also along the Japan Sea Coast, NHK reported.
An assessment of damages due to the earthquake is awaited.
The Japan PM Office also issued instructions amid the pressing situation.
It asked the officials to provide timely and accurate information to the public regarding the tsunami and evacuation and take thorough measures to prevent damage, such as the evacuation of residents.