MIYAZAKI, Japan — An earthquake tsunami advisory was issued for parts of southern Japan after a magnitude 7.1 quake struck off Kyushu on Aug. 8, 2024, injuring several people and prompting warnings to stay away from the coast.
The earthquake occurred at about 4:43 p.m. local time in the Hyuganada Sea off Miyazaki Prefecture, at a depth of approximately 30 kilometers, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
Nichinan, in Miyazaki Prefecture, recorded a lower 6 on Japan’s seven-level seismic intensity scale, which measures shaking at a particular location. Other areas across southern and central Japan also recorded tremors.
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency initially reported nine injuries in Miyazaki and neighboring Kagoshima, according to The Associated Press. Most were minor and involved people falling or being struck by objects. There were no immediate reports of widespread serious damage.
Coastal Areas Covered by the Earthquake Tsunami Advisory
The meteorological agency issued tsunami advisories for coastal areas in Miyazaki, Kochi, Ehime, Oita and Kagoshima prefectures, including the Tanegashima and Yakushima region.
Euronews reported that the agency initially forecast waves of up to 1 meter along the southern coast of Kyushu and the nearby island of Shikoku.
Authorities instructed people in the water to get out immediately and warned residents against approaching shorelines while the advisories remained in effect. The agency emphasized that strong currents could make coastal waters dangerous.
Government records showed tsunami waves of approximately 50 centimeters at Miyazaki Port and 40 centimeters at Aburatsu in Nichinan.
All tsunami advisories associated with the earthquake were lifted by 10 p.m. that evening as the waves subsided. The agency nevertheless warned that minor sea-level fluctuations could continue for roughly another 12 hours, requiring caution during fishing, swimming and work in coastal waters.
Damage Checks and Transport Disruptions
Japan’s NHK public television reported broken windows at Miyazaki Airport. Its runway was temporarily closed for safety inspections, according to The Associated Press.
Kyushu’s high-speed rail services resumed after precautionary checks, although some local railway services faced longer suspensions.
In Osaki, Kagoshima Prefecture, concrete walls collapsed and a wooden house was damaged. No injuries were reported in those incidents.
The Nuclear Regulation Authority said the 12 nuclear reactors on Kyushu and Shikoku, including three operating at the time, remained safe. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida urged residents to follow official information and avoid spreading misinformation.
Japan lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone of seismic faults surrounding the Pacific Ocean. Its history includes the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, which killed thousands of people and triggered the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster.
Officials Warn of Further Strong Shaking
The meteorological agency warned that areas experiencing the strongest shaking faced increased risks from damaged buildings and landslides. It urged residents to avoid dangerous locations and monitor further seismic activity and rainfall.
Officials advised people in the affected region to prepare for earthquakes capable of producing similarly strong shaking for about a week, particularly during the following two to three days.
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