Strong earthquake hits Japanese island but damage limited
A strong and shallow earthquake occurred on Kyushu, the most southwesterly of Japan’s four main islands, yesterday (April 14).
The event was centred near the town of Mashiki in Kumamoto Prefecture, about 1,300 km (800 miles) southwest of Tokyo. The Japanese government issued a high-level alert in the southern province and alerted disaster management teams.
Damage to buildings and some casualties are being reported, according to AIR Worldwide and the earthquake has been followed by a series of aftershocks, but there is no risk of a tsunami, said the firm.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) currently estimates the intensity of the initial temblor at M6.2, and the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) currently estimates it at M6.4. The depth has been initially estimated by the USGS as 23.3 km (14.4 miles) and by the JMA as 10 km (6.2 miles). Shaking started modestly, grew more violent, and lasted about 30 seconds.
Kumamoto Prefecture is situated in the centre of Kyushu and contains 14 cities. More than 8 million people live within 100 km (62 miles) of the epicentre of this earthquake.
In Mashiki several houses have been flattened, and occupants may be trapped inside; several fires have been noted, according to AIR. Roads have been damaged, and at least 10 buildings have collapsed in Kumamoto City, the capital of the prefecture. Elsewhere, large cracks have been reported in several structures. Walls of some houses have collapsed in the city of Ueki, and part of a city hall ceiling fell. Gas and power outages have occurred in areas close to the epicentre.
The Sanyo Shinkansen “bullet train” service briefly lost power and has been suspended on Kyushu as a precaution. The Kyushu Electric Company reports no issues at the Genkai or Sendai nuclear power plants on Kyushu or at the shut-down Ikata plant on nearby Shikoku.
No immediate damage was reported in neighbouring Miyazaki Prefecture.
The USGS issued a green alert for shaking-related fatalities, indicating a low likelihood of casualties and damage. Because some damage is possible but the impact relatively localised, a higher yellow alert level was issued for economic losses.
