Latest news with #HisayoshiYokose
The Star
10 hours ago
- The Star
Hundreds of earthquakes rattle Japanese island chain
Pavement was left cracked in the city of Wajima, after a major 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck Japan's Noto region. - Photo: Yomiuri Shimbun/AFP TOKYO: A remote island chain in southern Japan has been rattled by more than 470 earthquakes since Saturday (June 21), the national weather agency said on Thursday (June 26), calling for residents to stay alert. No major damage has been reported from the series of quakes with a strength of at least one -- slightly perceptible to people seated quietly indoors -- on Japan's seven-point seismic intensity scale. As of Thursday morning, 474 such earthquakes had been observed around the Tokara island chain, south of Kyushu, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said. "Seismic activity has increased. As this region has experienced extended periods of earthquake activity in the past, please be vigilant against earthquakes that cause strong shaking," it said in a statement. The largest tremors recorded since Saturday were two magnitude-5.1 quakes, one on Sunday and one on Tuesday. They had a seismic intensity of four on the Japanese scale -- described as an earthquake in which "most people are startled", dishes rattle and "hanging objects such as lamps swing significantly". A similar period of seismic activity in the Tokara area was seen in September 2023, when 346 earthquakes were recorded within 15 days, according to public broadcaster NHK. Seven of the 12 remote Tokara Islands are inhabited, with around 700 residents in total. The islands, some of which have active volcanoes, are reached by a ferry that runs twice weekly in good weather. "An earthquake of up to magnitude-6 strength could take place, so please be vigilant," Hisayoshi Yokose, a marine volcanology specialist and associate professor at Kumamoto University, told NHK. Japan is one of the world's most seismically active countries, sitting on top of four major tectonic plates along the western edge of the Pacific "Ring of Fire". The archipelago, home to around 125 million people, experiences around 1,500 jolts every year and accounts for around 18 percent of the world's earthquakes. The vast majority are mild, although the damage they cause varies according to their location and the depth below the Earth's surface at which they strike. On New Year's Day 2024, more than 400 people died after a massive earthquake hit the Noto Peninsula in central Japan, including "quake-linked" deaths as well as those killed directly in the disaster. The January 1 quake and its aftershocks toppled buildings, caused fires and knocked out infrastructure at a time when families were celebrating the new year. - AFP
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Time of India
New Baba Vanga's prophecy coming true? Over 500 earthquakes rattle Japanese islands before apocalyptic July 5 prediction
A remote group of islands in southern Japan has been shaken by over 470 earthquakes since Saturday, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). The Tokara Islands , located south of Kyushu, have been experiencing constant tremors, though luckily, no major damage has been reported so far. What's happening in the Tokara Islands? By Thursday morning, the JMA confirmed that 474 earthquakes had been recorded in the area. These were not very strong but enough to be felt by people sitting quietly indoors. The strongest ones, two magnitude-5.1 quakes happened on Sunday and Tuesday. These were strong enough to shake hanging lamps and rattle dishes. Authorities have warned people in the area to stay alert. 'This region has seen long periods of earthquake activity in the past. Please be careful,' the JMA said. A marine volcano expert , Hisayoshi Yokose, has also said that a magnitude-6 earthquake could still happen. Has this happened before? Yes. In September 2023, the same area had 346 earthquakes in just 15 days. Seven of the 12 Tokara Islands are inhabited, with around 700 people living there. Some of these islands have active volcanoes. They are also hard to reach, ferries only run twice a week when the weather is good. Live Events Why does Japan have so many earthquakes? Japan sits on four major tectonic plates and is part of the Pacific 'Ring of Fire'. That's why the country experiences around 1,500 earthquakes every year, about 18% of the world's total. Most of them are mild, but some can cause serious damage depending on their location and depth. Reminder of the 2024 New Year's Day quake On 1 January 2024, a powerful earthquake hit the Noto Peninsula in central Japan, killing over 400 people. Buildings collapsed, fires broke out, and basic services like water and power were disrupted. That tragedy is still fresh in many people's minds. Ryo Tatsuki's prediction adds to public fear As the earthquakes continue, fear is also rising due to a viral prediction by Ryo Tatsuki, a manga artist and self-proclaimed clairvoyant. In her book The Future I Saw, Tatsuki claims that a massive disaster will hit Japan on 5 July 2025. She describes cities sinking into the sea, boiling water, giant bubbles, and a mega-tsunami, stronger than the one in the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. What are Japanese officials saying? Officials are asking the public not to panic. The governor of Miyagi, Yoshihiro Murai, said there is no official warning and advised people not to change their plans based on rumours. Authorities hope that tourism won't be affected too badly and that the prediction will pass without any real event. Who is Ryo Tatsuki? She is a manga artist from Japan who claims to have visions of the future. In the past, she says she predicted: The 2011 Tohoku earthquake The deaths of Princess Diana and Freddie Mercury The Covid-19 pandemic A new deadly virus variant expected in 2030 Because of her detailed predictions and their accuracy, some are now calling her the 'New Baba Vanga,' comparing her to the famous Bulgarian mystic known for her prophecies. As July 5 approaches, tension is rising across Japan, not just because of the earthquakes, but also because of what might come next. Inputs from agencies Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Straits Times
12 hours ago
- Straits Times
Hundreds of earthquakes rattle Japanese island chain
No major damage has been reported from the series of quakes with a strength of at least one. PHOTO: AFP TOKYO - A remote island chain in southern Japan has been rattled by more than 470 earthquakes since June 21, the national weather agency said on June 26, calling for residents to stay alert. No major damage has been reported from the series of quakes with a strength of at least one – slightly perceptible to people seated quietly indoors – on Japan's seven-point seismic intensity scale. As of the morning of June 26, 474 such earthquakes had been observed around the Tokara island chain, south of Kyushu, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said. 'Seismic activity has increased. As this region has experienced extended periods of earthquake activity in the past, please be vigilant against earthquakes that cause strong shaking,' it said in a statement. The largest tremors recorded since June 21 were two magnitude-5.1 quakes, one on June 22 and one on June 24. They had a seismic intensity of four on the Japanese scale – described as an earthquake in which 'most people are startled', dishes rattle and 'hanging objects such as lamps swing significantly'. A similar period of seismic activity in the Tokara area was seen in September 2023, when 346 earthquakes were recorded within 15 days, according to public broadcaster NHK. Seven of the 12 remote Tokara Islands are inhabited, with around 700 residents in total. The islands, some of which have active volcanoes, are reached by a ferry that runs twice weekly in good weather. 'An earthquake of up to magnitude-6 strength could take place, so please be vigilant,' Associate Professor Hisayoshi Yokose, a marine volcanology specialist at Kumamoto University, told NHK. Japan is one of the world's most seismically active countries, sitting on top of four major tectonic plates along the western edge of the Pacific 'Ring of Fire'. The archipelago, home to around 125 million people, experiences around 1,500 jolts every year and accounts for around 18 per cent of the world's earthquakes. The vast majority are mild, although the damage they cause varies according to their location and the depth below the Earth's surface at which they strike. On New Year's Day 2024, more than 400 people died after a massive earthquake hit the Noto Peninsula in central Japan, including 'quake-linked' deaths as well as those killed directly in the disaster. The January 1 quake and its aftershocks toppled buildings, caused fires and knocked out infrastructure at a time when families were celebrating the new year. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Sun
12 hours ago
- The Sun
Hundreds of earthquakes rattle Japanese island chain
TOKYO: A remote island chain in southern Japan has been rattled by more than 470 earthquakes since Saturday, the national weather agency said on Thursday, calling for residents to stay alert. No major damage has been reported from the series of quakes with a strength of at least one -- slightly perceptible to people seated quietly indoors -- on Japan's seven-point seismic intensity scale. As of Thursday morning, 474 such earthquakes had been observed around the Tokara island chain, south of Kyushu, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said. 'Seismic activity has increased. As this region has experienced extended periods of earthquake activity in the past, please be vigilant against earthquakes that cause strong shaking,' it said in a statement. The largest tremors recorded since Saturday were two magnitude-5.1 quakes, one on Sunday and one on Tuesday. They had a seismic intensity of four on the Japanese scale -- described as an earthquake in which 'most people are startled', dishes rattle and 'hanging objects such as lamps swing significantly'. A similar period of seismic activity in the Tokara area was seen in September 2023, when 346 earthquakes were recorded within 15 days, according to public broadcaster NHK. Seven of the 12 remote Tokara Islands are inhabited, with around 700 residents in total. The islands, some of which have active volcanoes, are reached by a ferry that runs twice weekly in good weather. 'An earthquake of up to magnitude-6 strength could take place, so please be vigilant,' Hisayoshi Yokose, a marine volcanology specialist and associate professor at Kumamoto University, told NHK. Japan is one of the world's most seismically active countries, sitting on top of four major tectonic plates along the western edge of the Pacific 'Ring of Fire'. The archipelago, home to around 125 million people, experiences around 1,500 jolts every year and accounts for around 18 percent of the world's earthquakes. The vast majority are mild, although the damage they cause varies according to their location and the depth below the Earth's surface at which they strike. On New Year's Day 2024, more than 400 people died after a massive earthquake hit the Noto Peninsula in central Japan, including 'quake-linked' deaths as well as those killed directly in the disaster. The January 1 quake and its aftershocks toppled buildings, caused fires and knocked out infrastructure at a time when families were celebrating the new year.
Yomiuri Shimbun
a day ago
- Science
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Over 300 Earthquakes Rumble in Sea Off Kagoshima Pref. Islands, Putting Residents on Alert
The sea off the Tokara Islands in Kagoshima Prefecture was hit with 336 earthquakes measuring at least a 1 on the Japanese seismic scale from Saturday to 5 p.m. Tuesday, according to a regional branch of the Japan Meteorological Agency. Six of the earthquakes measured a 4 on the Japanese seismic scale, which goes as high as 7. Experts have suggested that even larger quakes could occur, and the agency's Fukuoka regional headquarters is calling for people in the area to stay on the alert against earthquakes with strong shaking. Tremors in the sea near the islands grew more frequent after 8 p.m. on Saturday, according to the regional headquarters. The largest quake over the period struck on Sunday afternoon and registered a magnitude of 5.1. There have been as many as 15 quakes per hour. On Tuesday, at 2:23 a.m. and again at 4:04 p.m., shaking measuring a 4 on the Japanese seismic scale was felt on Akusekijima Island in the prefecture's village of Toshima. The sea near the Tokara Islands has been the source of many prior earthquakes. In December 2021, tremors measuring 1 or higher on the Japanese seismic scale struck 308 times. On Dec. 9, 2021, a quake measuring a 5 on the seismic scale hit Akusekijima Island, forcing 30 residents to evacuate to Kagoshima City and to Hisayoshi Yokose, an associate professor at Kumamoto University specializing in marine volcanology, near the islands the Philippine Sea Plate is subducted beneath another tectonic plate connected to the Asian continent. This geology tends to cause a buildup of tension that results in earthquakes. Yokose thinks the recent quakes have occurred inside the continental plate. 'Past trends show that even bigger earthquakes occur after seismic activity subsides,' he said. The area where the quakes have occurred is part of a volcanic cluster that stretches from the Kirishima mountain range, in Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures, to Io-Torishima Island in Okinawa Prefecture. Junichi Nakajima, a Tokyo Institute of Technology professor in seismology, suggested that magma may have cooled when rising through the ground and water in that magma may have seeped out, making the fault prone to slippage. On Sunday, Mt. Shinmoedake, part of the Kirishima mountains, erupted for the first time in seven years. However, the volcano, which rises to a height of 1,421 meters, lies at a distance from the Tokara Islands. 'I don't think it had any effect' on the earthquakes, Nakajima said. As of Sunday, 667 residents were living on seven remote islands in Toshima. 'You never know when a big quake will come. It reminds me of the one that we had four years ago that registered a 5 on the seismic scale,' said a 34-year-old man running a minshuku bed and breakfast on Akusekijima Island. Since Monday, students have been commuting to a school on the island were wearing helmets. Some of the children have reportedly said they cannot sleep at night. 'We'll try to relieve their concerns as much as we can,' said the school's principal.
