Japan Earthquake 2024 is the biggest earthquake to hit Japan since the Ogasawara earthquake in 2015. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reports that the earthquake occurred on the Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa prefecture around 4:10 p.m. local time, at a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles). The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning for western Japan’s coastal districts immediately. The first waves were reported striking the coast just over 10 minutes later.
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Japan Earthquake 2024
On 1st Jan, 2024 (Monday) afternoon, a 7.5-magnitude earthquake occurred in central Japan, resulting in the collapse of buildings, fires, and tsunami warnings that reached as far east as eastern Russia. The earthquake also caused citizens to be ordered to leave the impacted coastal districts of Japan. According to hospitals and local authorities cited by Japanese public broadcaster NHK, the earthquake caused six fatalities in the prefectures of Ishikawa and hundreds of injuries in four other prefectures, including Toyama and Niigata.
Some of the earliest reports of the tsunami came from the Ishikawa prefecture city of Wajima, which experienced waves as high as 1.2 meters (3.9 feet) around 4:21 p.m. No damage was reported immediately. Later, the warnings of tsunamis were lifted throughout parts of Japan’s western coast. Defense Minister Minoru Kihara told reporters earlier on Monday that the ministry has sent out 1,000 military men to aid in the rescue and recovery work.
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Japan Earthquake 2024 Magnitude
The earthquake was recorded by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) with a moment magnitude of 7.5 and a focal depth of 10 km (6.2 mi). The magnitude was measured by the Japan Meteorological Agency at MJMA 7.6. The mainshock’s focal mechanism was shallow reverse faulting along a plane that trended northeast and dipped northwest or southeast, at the Okhotsk Plate and Amurian Plate convergent boundary. Four minutes prior to the mainshock, a magnitude 5.5 foreshock and a magnitude 6.2 aftershock were felt. Following the earthquake, some 150 aftershocks were detected, at least seven of which had a magnitude of 5.0 or higher.
Japan Earthquake 2024 Intensity
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, an earthquake with a maximum seismic intensity of 7 (Shindo 7), the highest level on its seismic intensity scale, was detected for the first time in the nation since 2018. The Ishikawa Prefecture’s Shika reported the highest intensity. Four locations—Nanao, Wajima, Suzu, and Anamizu—recorded intensity 6+.
Intensity 6–was detected in Ishikawa’s Nakanoto and Noto as well as Nagaoka in Niigata Prefecture. Residents of Tokyo, the Kanto Region, Aomori Prefecture on the northernmost tip of Honshu and Kyushu in the southernmost part of the country were also affected by the earthquake.
Japan Earthquake 2024 Reason
The following are the reasons behind Japan Earthquake 2024:
- The USGS issued a finite fault model that showed the extent of the earthquake rupture. It was along a southeast-dipping fault, and extended around 200 km (120 mi) from southeast of the Noto Peninsula to Sado Island.
- The biggest slip zones were located to the northeast and southwest of the hypocenter. The highest displacement, 3.67 m (12 ft), was caused by the latter patch beneath the peninsula.
- Between the peninsula and Sado Island, there was another zone of slide that produced up to 1.86 meters (6 feet) of slip. Most likely, the fault broke near the seafloor.
- Parts of the country have moved up to 1.3 meters (4 feet 3 inches) westward, with the greatest displacement recorded in Wajima as a result of crustal deformation, according to the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan.
- The terrain moved 1 m (3 ft 3 in) to the west at Anamizu. The agency did note that these movements could also be caused by local ground movement or a slope.
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Japan Earthquake 2024 Death
Till now 48 deaths are recorded as a result of Japan earthquake 2024. All 48 deaths that were reported occurred in Ishikawa and were linked to collapsed homes. There were twenty fatalities in Suzu, nineteen in Wajima, five in Nanao, two in Anamizu, and one in each of Hakui and Shika. Injuries totaling 109 individuals were reported from seven prefectures.
Impact of Japan Earthquake 2024
The following are the effects or impacts of Japan Earthquake 2024:
- At least fifty houses fell in Wajima.
- The city had a fire at approximately 17:00. Firefighters were unable to put out the fires, which destroyed an estimated 200 buildings, many of which were residences, because of damaged roadways.
- In Suzu, where several residences caught fire, many injuries were reported in addition to the over thirty injuries that were reported in the city.
- Before they were rescued, people were trapped in collapsed homes, according to the Ishikawa Nanao Police Station.
- The local fire and health authorities reported several injuries, and at least 14 people were buried under collapsed homes in Wajima.
- According to a spokesman for Wajima Municipal Hospital, some patients suffered injuries from falling objects or fractured bones.
- In Toyama Prefecture, there have been reports of cracked roads and broken water mains in the cities of Himi and Oyabe.
- In Niigata City, liquefaction happened; sewage pipes burst and several residences lost their water supply.
Also Read: Destructive and Constructive Effects of Earthquakes
Aftermath of Japan Earthquake 2024
A Japan Airlines passenger plane from New Chitose Airport collided with a Japan Coast Guard aircraft on the evening of January 2, transporting humanitarian aid to Niigata earthquake victims. The collision caused a fire aboard the Japan Airlines aircraft as it landed at Haneda Airport in Tokyo. While one person on the Coast Guard jet managed to escape and the remaining five crew members are still missing, all 379 passengers on the passenger plane were successfully evacuated.
Also Read: Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan
FAQs on Japan Earthquake 2024
1. What is the magnitude of the Japan Earthquake 2024?
The earthquake was recorded by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) with a moment magnitude of 7.5 and a focal depth of 10 km (6.2 mi).
2. What is the Japan Earthquake 2024 location?
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reports that the earthquake occurred on the Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa prefecture.
3. What is Japan Earthquake 2024 Date?
On 1st Jan, 2024 (Monday) afternoon, a 7.5-magnitude earthquake occurred in central Japan, resulting in the collapse of buildings, fires, and tsunami warnings that reached as far east as eastern Russia.
4. How many deaths are reported after Japan Earthquake 2024?
Till now 48 deaths are recorded as a result of Japan earthquake 2024. All 48 deaths that were reported occurred in Ishikawa and were linked to collapsed homes.
5. What is the name of the Japan Earthquake 2024?
Japan Earthquake 2024 is officially known as the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).