Magnitude 7.5 quake in Japan triggers tsunami, residents told to flee

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
1 Jan 2024 14:59

Central Japan experienced tsunami waves exceeding one meter in height on Monday following a sequence of powerful earthquakes.

A tsunami warning is shown on TV in Yokohama, near Tokyo Monday, January 1, 2024. (AP)

Central Japan was hit on Monday with tsunami waves exceeding one meter in height following a series of potent earthquakes that inflicted damage to residences, and closed highways, and prompted authorities to advise individuals to seek higher ground.

A powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake occurred in the Noto region of Ishikawa prefecture around 4:10 pm (0710 GMT), as reported by the US Geological Survey (USGS). Japan's weather agency documented a sequence of 21 earthquakes with a magnitude of 4.0 or higher striking the central region within just over 90 minutes.

Frightening visuals from Japan as it begins new year suffering a massive 7.6 magnitude earthquake. pic.twitter.com/e3gyiVkq8f
— Science girl (@gunsnrosesgirl3) January 1, 2024

Tsunami waves reaching up to 1.2 meters (four feet) made landfall at Wajima port in Ishikawa prefecture at 4:21 pm (0721 GMT), approximately 10 minutes after the most intense seismic activity, as indicated by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).

National broadcaster NHK said after the quakes that "all residents must evacuate immediately to higher ground."

A massive earthquake of magnitude 7.4 struck #Ishikawa Prefecture, in central #Japan, along the Japan Sea coast, on Monday.

Officials of Ishikawa Prefecture's Suzu City confirmed the collapse of several houses and power poles, where around 33,000 homes are without power in the… pic.twitter.com/XNady969BK
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) January 1, 2024

Tsunamis within 300-km radius

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, located in Hawaii, cautioned that potentially dangerous tsunami waves could occur within a 300-kilometer (190-mile) radius of the earthquake's epicenter along the coastal areas on the Sea of Japan side of Japan's primary island of Honshu.

Video of a tsunami travelling up the Seki River in Joetsu City, Japan ollowing a 7.5 magnitude earthquake striking 36 km northeast of Anamizu, Japan....pic.twitter.com/s7jjULriDQ
— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) January 1, 2024

People seeking refuge in a park and open space amidst #earthquake!#Japan #Tsunami pic.twitter.com/7fEpY0K93B
— WarMonitoreu (@WarMonitoreu) January 1, 2024

In contrast, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) anticipated a significantly higher tsunami, measuring five meters, to impact Noto in the same region.

The Japanese government stated that it is currently evaluating the extent of the damage and determining if there are any casualties resulting from the recent events. Local utilities reported that approximately 33,500 households near the epicenter, spanning Toyama, Ishikawa, and Niigata prefectures, were experiencing power outages.

Television broadcasts depicted a building engulfed in flames in Wajima city, Ishikawa, and journalists from AFP noted that houses in central Tokyo experienced shaking.