A strong earthquake strikes southwest Japan, prompting tsunami warnings

A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 struck the southwest of the country JapanAccording to the country’s meteorological authority, today, Monday.

Tsunami warnings were issued for Miyazaki Prefecture, where the quake was centered, on the southwestern island of Kyushu, as well as nearby Kochi Prefecture, shortly after the quake struck at 9:19 p.m. local time, according to the agency.

US Geological Survey It revised its estimates Down from 6.9, adding that “there is no tsunami threat from this earthquake” for the United States.

However, the JMA urged the public to stay away from coastal waters.

“A tsunami could strike repeatedly. Please do not enter the sea or approach coastal areas,” the agency said on social media.

The extent of the damage was not immediately clear.

No violations were reported at the Ikata nuclear plant following the quake, NHK reported, citing Shikoku Electric Power Co.

Japan is frequently hit by earthquakes because of its location along the “Ring of Fire,” an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin.

Last August, a strong earthquake occurred Hit southern JapanThis caused mostly minor injuries but raised a level of concern about possible major earthquakes caused by an undersea basin east of the coast.

that Earthquake on January 1, 2024 in north-central JapanNoto left more than 240 dead.