Breaking | 6.0 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Japan’s Kyushu
A 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck Japan’s Kyushu region on Wednesday, as reported by the National Center for Seismology, raising concerns in a country prone to seismic activity. The tremor, which occurred at 7:34 pm local time, comes amid heightened alertness following recent devastating quakes in the region and a government warning of a potential “megaquake.”
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) stated that the earthquake hit at a depth of 40 km. As of now, no damage or casualties have been reported in Kyushu, a southwestern island known for its vulnerability to tectonic shifts. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation.
The Kyushu quake follows a deadly 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar earlier this week, which claimed over 2,800 lives and displaced thousands. Japan, located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, has experienced its own share of seismic events, including a massive quake in the Noto Peninsula in January that killed at least 260 people.
On Monday, a Japanese government report warned that a “megaquake” along the Nankai Trough could result in up to 298,000 deaths and damages worth $2 trillion. The Nankai Trough, an 800-km undersea trench, stretches from Shizuoka to southern Kyushu and is a hotspot for tectonic activity.
A “megaquake” refers to an earthquake of magnitude 8 or higher, capable of triggering widespread destruction and tsunamis. The JMA issued its first-ever megaquake advisory in August 2024 after a 7.1 magnitude quake in southern Japan injured 14 people, signaling increased vigilance.
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The Nankai Trough marks the subduction zone where the Philippine Sea Plate slides beneath the continental plate supporting Japan. This gradual locking of plates builds energy, which, when released, causes powerful earthquakes. The Kyushu quake underscores this ongoing geological tension.
While no immediate impact was reported, the JMA continues to assess whether this quake is linked to broader seismic risks. “We are investigating the event and its potential implications,” a JMA official said, though no tsunami warning was issued for Kyushu on Wednesday.
Japan’s position on the Ring of Fire makes it one of the world’s most earthquake-prone nations. The Noto Peninsula quake earlier this year and the 2011 Tohoku disaster, which killed over 15,000, highlight the country’s constant preparedness for such events.
Authorities in Kyushu remain on standby as aftershocks could follow. The government’s recent megaquake warning has intensified focus on disaster readiness, with experts urging residents to stay vigilant. Updates on the Kyushu quake’s aftermath and any further seismic activity are expected soon.
