More than 1,000 earthquakes 'attack' Japanese island, what's going on?

In less than two weeks, Akuseki Island in Japan's Tokara island chain has been hit by more than 1,000 earthquakes, including some as strong as 5.5 magnitude.

Akuseki Island, part of the Tokara island chain in southern Kagoshima Prefecture, after a 5.5-magnitude earthquake on the afternoon of July 3 - Photo: KYODO NEWS

On July 3, Japan called for the evacuation of 89 residents on Akuseki Island, part of the Tokara island chain in southern Kagoshima Prefecture, after the area was hit by more than 1,000 earthquakes since June 21.

The latest earthquake, with a magnitude of 5.5, occurred at 4:13 p.m. on July 3 (local time, 2:13 p.m. Vietnam time), with strong vibrations measuring level 6 on Japan's 7-level seismic scale - a level that can crack tiles, shatter window glass, and make it difficult for people to maintain their balance.

The epicenter was offshore, at a depth of about 20km. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) confirmed there was no tsunami risk.

Since June 21, the Tokara Island area has recorded 1,031 earthquakes of magnitude 1 or greater. In the last two consecutive days, the area has recorded earthquakes of magnitude 5.5. A similar strong seismic activity occurred in September 2023, when the area recorded 346 earthquakes.

Authorities have instructed residents to evacuate to school playgrounds on the island for safety. The JMA has urged residents to be on guard against the risk of building collapses and landslides as strong tremors may continue in the coming days.

Japan lies at the intersection of four tectonic plates, part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, and is one of the most seismically active countries in the world with about 1,500 earthquakes per year.

The Japanese government also recently released updated warnings about the risk of a major earthquake in the Nankai Trench in the next 30 years, with a probability of 75-82%. A major earthquake and tsunami in this area could kill up to 298,000 people and cause economic losses of about $2 trillion.

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VNA

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hon-1-000-tran-dong-dat-tan-cong-hon-dao-nhat-ban-co-chuyen-gi-20250703231455088.htm