On the 22nd of this month, Japan experienced several small magnitude earthquakes, with authorities confirming their occurrence across different regions of the country.
The first of these events took place at approximately 4:56 PM, with the Japan Meteorological Agency reporting the earthquake as having reached an intensity of 4.7 on the Richter scale. Residents of産山村 (Ubuyama Village) felt the tremors, indicating the earthquake's proximity to populated areas. According to local reports, the earthquake's epicenter was located near the Satsuma region of Kagoshima Prefecture, approximately 170 kilometers deep.
Additional areas experiencing the shaking included、人吉市 (Hitoyoshi City),上天草市 (Kamiamakusa City),高森町 (Takamori Town),美里町 (Misato Town),山都町 (Yamato Town),多良木町 (Taragi Town),あさぎり町 (asagiri Town),芦北町 (Ashikita Town), and水上村 (Minakami Village), all registering lower tremor intensities of震度1.
Later on the same day, another earthquake struck at around 7:15 PM, this time measuring at a lower magnitude of 3.0. The Japan Meteorological Agency pinpointed its epicenter to the eastern part of Toyama Prefecture, situated at coordinates 36.5°N latitude and 137.4°E longitude. This earthquake was much closer to the surface, occurring at approximately 10 kilometers below ground level.
This smaller earthquake mostly affected regions such as立山 (Tateyama),立山芦峅寺 (Tateyama Ashikuraji),高山 (Takayama),奥飛騨温泉郷 (Okuhida Onsen-gō), and飛騨 (Hida) among others, which all registered震度1.
Despite the concerns typically surrounding seismic activities, local authorities quickly clarified: "There is no tsunami threat following this earthquake," ensuring the public about their safety.
Earthquakes of these magnitudes are common for Japan, which lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, known for its significant seismic activity. With extensive monitoring and preparedness systems, Japan has established protocols to deal with earthquake risks effectively.
The government emphasizes the importance of earthquake readiness among residents, continuously reminding citizens to stay alert and to have safety measures and emergency kits prepared at home.
Overall, even though the recent quakes were of minor magnitude, they serve as yet another reminder of Japan's geological reality. The Japan Meteorological Agency remains committed to providing timely information and warnings to minimize risks and protect the public from potential seismic dangers.
