A chilling tsunami warning has been issued following a 5.9 magnitude earthquake that shook Japan. A local news outlet via NTV News reported a 20cm high tsunami wave observed at Kozushima Port, while a 50cm tsunami was seen in Hachijo-jima, Hachijo Town, Tokyo.
The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami advisory this morning for remote islands south of Tokyo after an earthquake potentially triggered by volcanic activity. The agency warned of possible tsunami waves up to one metre above tide levels on the coasts of the Izu and Ogasawara island chains.
The US Geological Survey measured the quake’s strength at 5.6 magnitude. Despite predicting small swelling of waves along the southeastern Pacific coasts, the JMA assured there is no danger from it.
A tsunami of about 50 centimetres (about 20 inches) was detected in the Yaene district on Hachijo Island roughly 30 minutes post-quake. Smaller tsunamis were detected on three other islands – Kozushima, Miyakejima and Izu Oshima, according to the agency.
The offshore quake occurred approximately 180 kilometres (111 miles) south of Hachijo island, which is about 300 kilometres (186 miles) south of Tokyo, the agency said. Residents on Hachijo island reported not feeling the quake and only hearing the tsunami advisory, as per Japan’s NHK public television.
A tsunami advisory is in effect following underwater volcanic activity, according to Tohoku University seismologist Fumihiko Imamura. After an offshore quake hit with little notice, Imamura warned Tuesday that larger tsunamis could follow and urges vigilance amongst coastal residents.
The tremor went largely unfelt and no casualties or damage have been reported so far.
Japan is home to around 21,500 people on the Izu Islands and a further 2,500 on the Ogasawara Islands, areas known for heightened seismic activity. it sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a line of seismic faults encircling the Pacific Ocean, and is one of the world’s most earthquake and tsunami-prone countries.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
