Just as 2024 begins, Japan is rocked by a powerful earthquake, triggering a major tsunami warning and evacuation orders for areas in the western parts of the Pacific island country.
Tsunami warnings are in place for all prefectures with coasts facing the Sea of Japan.
Japanese TV urging people to run immediately to higher ground! This is serious. 5m waves expected in Ishikawa. #japan #earthquake pic.twitter.com/Y8h4Vbe8c8 — Greg R. Hill (@greghill)
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck at a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles) and 42 kilometers (26 miles) northeast of Anamizu in Ishikawa prefecture around 1610 local time.
The 7.5 magnitude was weaker than the 8.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Japan in 2011, causing a tsunami and a nuclear power plant meltdown and killing thousands. Initial reports say tsunami waves of around 1.2 meters (3.9 feet) were recorded in the city of Wajima in Ishikawa prefecture.
An official from Japan’s Nuclear Regulatory Agency told The New York Times that radioactive monitoring stations at the Shika nuclear power plant in Ishikawa show no irregularities. Several power plants in the region have been shuttered as authorities check on nuclear reactors.
Footage uploaded to the social media platform X showed buildings violently shaking during the quake.
CONFIRMED REPORTS
— Aditya Rathore (@imAdityaRathore)
20 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or stronger
have struck off the coast of Ishikawa and neighbouring Niigata States.
The strongest earthquake now estimated at magnitude 7.5.#earthquakes #japan #japanese #japannews #tsunami #NewYear #Japon pic.twitter.com/chcPPdi2mr
#Japan #earthquake Video footage of the moment when 7.4 Magnitude earthquake struck Japan. #Tsunami pic.twitter.com/PAZQtMReNi
— MH Chronicle (@MHNewsDaily)
Footage also showed the aftermath of the quake.
Breaking : A major 7.5-7.6 magnitude earthquake occurred in #Japan.
— Anand Panna (@AnandPanna1)
#Tsunami warnings are in place for all prefectures with coasts facing the Sea of Japan.
Horrific footage is emerging from many places... pic.twitter.com/A8st4DwACZ
Pray for Japan#tsunami #earthquake #japan pic.twitter.com/hymeiewao3
— Kanhaiya Lal Saran (@SaranKL_)
#BREAKINGNEWS
— Dr. Ladla (@SonOfChoudhary)
A major 7.6-magnitude earthquake occurred in #Japan.
Everything shaking in Japan.
A #tsunami warning has also been issued. Look at the condition of Japan right now, PRAY FOR JAPAN #deprem #sismo #地震 #earthquake #tsunami @LinusEkenstam pic.twitter.com/vSTJ9ndS2U
Video of damaged houses from the Earthquake in Japan#japan #earthquake #tsunami
— Crime With Bobby (@crimewithbobby)
pic.twitter.com/9X2ltHaJfT
Today was the first major tsunami warning to be issued since 2011.