Japan: An 80-CM Tsunami Strikes the North After a Powerful Earthquake
The Japan Meteorological Agency announced on Monday that a tsunami wave reaching 80 centimeters hit northern Japan following a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5.
Successive Waves After the Earthquake
According to the agency, the wave was recorded at 5:34 PM local time (08:34 GMT) in Kuji Port, located in the Iwate region. This was preceded by an initial wave of 70 centimeters, which occurred just a few minutes after the tremor, roughly 41 minutes following the earthquake.
Alerts and Evacuations
The earthquake struck in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Iwate Prefecture and was felt as far away as Tokyo, several hundred kilometers to the south.
Authorities urged residents in coastal areas and along riverbanks to evacuate immediately to higher ground or designated shelters due to the risk of further waves. The government has also established a crisis management team.
A Country Highly Prone to Earthquakes
Situated on four major tectonic plates along the Pacific Ring of Fire, Japan is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world.
The country, home to approximately 125 million people, experiences nearly 1,500 tremors each year, most of which are of low intensity.
In 2011, a magnitude 9 earthquake triggered a devastating tsunami that resulted in around 18,500 deaths and disappearances, as well as a major nuclear accident at the Fukushima plant.
