A 6-magnitude earthquake struck Kyushu, Japan, with no immediate damage reported. This event follows warnings of a potential megaquake in the Nakai Trough, which could endanger thousands of lives and cause trillions in economic losses. Japan’s government continues to monitor seismic activities closely.
On Wednesday evening, a 6-magnitude earthquake struck the Kyushu region of Japan, although there have been no reports of casualties or damages. This seismic event occurred shortly after Japan issued a warning regarding a potentially catastrophic earthquake in the Nakai Trough, which has the potential to cause massive destruction and loss of life in the country.
The National Center for Seismology reported that the earthquake hit at a depth of 30 kilometers at 7:34 PM, with its epicenter located approximately 283 kilometers southeast of Nagasaki. Fortunately, there is currently no tsunami alert in effect.
Japan is highly susceptible to earthquakes, with about an 80% likelihood of experiencing a magnitude 8 to 9 quake along the Nankai Trough. In light of this risk, the Japanese government announced its first megaquake advisory last year following a magnitude-7.1 quake near the same region, highlighting the increased probability of a powerful earthquake occurring.
A recent governmental report projected that if a megaquake were to occur, it could inflict an economic toll of up to $1.81 trillion, threaten hundreds of structures, and potentially cause the loss of approximately 300,000 lives. This significant financial damage could reach around 270.3 trillion Yen, nearly half of Japan’s GDP.
The Nankai Trough, which runs for roughly 900 kilometers off Japan’s southwest Pacific coast, is a site where the Philippine Sea Plate is subducting beneath the Eurasian Plate. Due to the ongoing accumulation of tectonic strains, megaquakes are estimated to occur approximately once every 100 to 150 years in this area.
In summary, a recent 6-magnitude earthquake struck the Kyushu region of Japan, coinciding with prior warnings about the risks posed by the Nankai Trough. Despite no immediate reports of damage, the Japanese government remains alert to the potential economic and human costs of a much stronger seismic event. The country’s vulnerability to destructive earthquakes necessitates ongoing preparedness and monitoring of seismic activities.
Original Source: www.financialexpress.com
