A powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.1 has struck the southern coast of Japan, triggering tsunami advisories for the region, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The quake’s epicenter was located just a few miles off the coast of Miyazaki, a city on the island of Kyushu, Japan’s southernmost main island.
Miyazaki, home to around 400,000 residents, is now on high alert as authorities monitor the potential for tsunamis following the seismic event.
The earthquake struck in the Hyuganada Sea, off Kyushu’s eastern coastline, at a depth of approximately 30 kilometers (18.6 miles). The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued a tsunami advisory, warning of possible waves up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) along the southern coast of Kyushu and the nearby island of Shikoku.
Residents have been advised to steer clear of coastal areas and riverbanks, with authorities cautioning that aftershocks of similar magnitude could follow.
Ryosuke Take, an employee at a local radio station in Kirishima, Kyushu, captured video footage showing objects violently shaking in the office.
“The shaking was intense,” Ryosuke shared. He also noted that listeners reported dishes falling in homes, while local hotels indicated their elevators and kitchens were out of service.
In one area of Kochi prefecture, residents have been ordered to evacuate, though significant changes in sea level have not been observed.
The quake registered a lower 6 on Japan’s seismic intensity scale, which ranges from 0 to 7. This indicates strong shaking capable of toppling furniture, damaging concrete structures, and causing wooden buildings to collapse.
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Despite the severity of the quake, no major damage has been reported, and the shaking was not felt in Tokyo. Additionally, there have been no reported irregularities at regional nuclear plants.
