Two Strong Earthquakes Struck Near Japan

Two Strong Earthquakes Struck Near Japan

A 6.9-magnitude earthquake, followed by a 7.1 tremor, struck off southern Japan on Thursday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). NHK reported that tsunamis up to one meter were either expected or had already reached some coastal areas on Kyushu and Shikoku islands. The first quake occurred at a depth of 33 kilometers (20 miles), and the second one nearby at a depth of 25 kilometers, as per the USGS.

In response, the Japanese government established a special task force. Japan, situated on the intersection of four major tectonic plates within the Pacific "Ring of Fire," is one of the most seismically active countries in the world.

The country, with a population of about 125 million, experiences around 1,500 earthquakes annually, making up roughly 18 percent of the world's total. Most of these quakes are mild, though the damage they cause can vary depending on their location and depth.

However, Japan's advanced construction techniques and strict building codes usually minimize damage from even significant earthquakes in the world's fourth-largest economy.

On New Year's Day, a massive earthquake led to the deaths of at least 260 people on the peninsula, including 30 "quake-linked" fatalities in addition to those killed directly by the disaster. The January 1 earthquake and its aftershocks caused building collapses, fires, and infrastructure failures during the holiday season.