‘Prayers for Japan’: 6.6 Magnitude Earthquake Triggers Tsunami Warning

Japanese authorities urged caution after a powerful earthquake rocked southern Japan, briefly prompting a tsunami advisory. Videos of the quake spread widely online.

A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck off the coast of Miyazaki Prefecture in southern Japan on Monday evening, triggering a brief tsunami advisory that was later lifted. The news quickly spread on social media, sparking concern and discussion among netizens.

A netizen’s comment on the recent 6.9 magnitude earthquake in Japan | Source: Facebook.com/ABCNews

According to NHK World Japan, the quake occurred at 9:19 p.m. in the Hyuganada Sea, with its epicenter at a depth of 36 kilometers. The hardest-hit areas recorded a seismic intensity of lower 5 on Japan’s scale of 0 to 7.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) initially estimated the quake’s magnitude at 6.9. It was later revised to 6.7 before being finalized at 6.6. The advisory was lifted by 11:50 p.m. on Monday.

NHK World Japan also reported that 20-centimeter tsunami waves were observed in Miyazaki and 10-centimeter waves in Kochi, but no significant damage was reported.

However, in Miyazaki City, the earthquake caused minor damage, shattering a large window pane at a railway station and knocking bottles off shelves at a liquor store.

As a precaution, some train services in Miyazaki Prefecture were suspended, and the Kyushu Shinkansen bullet train operated at reduced speed between Kumamoto and Shin-Yatsushiro.

Meanwhile, the Sendai nuclear power plant in Kagoshima Prefecture reported no abnormalities, with radiation levels in the area remaining unchanged.

Assistant Professor Yamashita Yusuke of Kyoto University’s Disaster Prevention Research Institute explained that the quake likely occurred near the boundary of tectonic plates. He noted that the tremor happened at the edge of the area where a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck in the Hyuganada Sea in August of last year.

A netizen’s comment on the recent 6.9 magnitude earthquake in Japan | Source: Facebook.com/Channel4News

Yamashita suggested that movement in a previously cracked area may have caused the recent quake. However, he emphasized that it is unlikely to have any significant impact on the potential for a Nankai Trough mega-quake.

He cautioned, though, that similar tremors could occur in the future due to the magnitude of the recent quake being close to 7.

The earthquake in southern Japan generated significant reactions online. One user wrote, “Omg.” Another shared, “Prayers for Japan. I don’t care how often, I’m sure it’s nerve wrecking [sic].” A third commented, “Prayers for Japan and the whole world.”

Some were tense and anxious. “On edge. We almost had a tsunami warning,” one revealed. Another expressed both worry and optimism, “That’s concerning. I hope everyone stays safe and the situation is quickly under control.”

Netizens expressed concern over the earthquake, noting that even Japan’s advanced earthquake-resistant infrastructure might struggle against such significant tremors.

A netizen’s comment on the recent 6.9 magnitude earthquake in Japan, posted on January 13, 2025 | Source: Facebook.com/Channel4News

Another recalled the devastation caused by past earthquakes, describing them as unforgettable and deeply traumatic.

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