A powerful earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale struck Japan’s Kyushu region on Monday, January 13, 2025, sending shockwaves through the area. Despite the intensity of the earthquake, there have been no reports of casualties or significant damage so far. The earthquake, which occurred in the Hyuga-Nada Sea, was felt across the region, and the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning for several areas, including Miyazaki and Kochi. However, no major destruction has been reported, although a 20 cm high tsunami was observed in Miyazaki.
The European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) reported that the quake occurred at a depth of 37 kilometers. The Japanese Earthquake Monitoring Agency (NERA) confirmed that the earthquake occurred at 9:29 PM local time in Miyazaki prefecture. The intensity of the tremors in the most affected areas was measured below 5 on the Japanese scale of 0-7.
Why Japan is Prone to Frequent Earthquakes?
Japan, located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, is prone to frequent seismic activity due to its position at the intersection of several tectonic plates. This earthquake comes on the heels of two powerful quakes that hit Japan last August, both registering magnitudes of 6.9 and 7.1, which caused tremors across Kyushu and Shikoku islands.
The impact of the earthquake was also felt in neighboring regions, with recent seismic events in Tibet, including a devastating 7.1 magnitude earthquake on January 7, 2025, which claimed the lives of 126 people and caused widespread destruction. The tremors from the Tibet earthquake were even felt in India, Nepal, and Bhutan, raising concerns about the ongoing seismic activity in the region.
This latest quake in Japan serves as a stark reminder of the continuous seismic challenges faced by countries situated along the Ring of Fire.
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