Japan was struck by two powerful earthquakes on Thursday, August 8th, causing widespread concern and triggering tsunami warnings.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the first quake, with a magnitude of 6.9, was followed closely by a second tremor measuring 7.1. Both quakes occurred off the southern coast of Japan, near the islands of Kyushu and Shikoku.
The initial earthquake struck at a depth of 33 kilometers (20 miles), while the subsequent one hit at a depth of 25 kilometers (16 miles). These seismic activities prompted the Japanese government to establish a special task force to manage the crisis. Broadcaster NHK reported that tsunamis up to one meter high were expected to impact some coastal areas.
Japan, situated on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," is no stranger to seismic activity. The country experiences around 1,500 earthquakes annually, accounting for approximately 18% of the world's total. Despite this, the nation has developed advanced construction techniques and strict building regulations to mitigate damage from such natural disasters.
However, the recent quakes have caused significant disruption. In Ishikawa Prefecture, at least 62 people have been confirmed dead, with many more feared trapped under collapsed buildings.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with the first 72 hours being crucial for saving lives. Water, power and cell phone services remain down in several affected areas, adding to the challenges faced by rescue teams.
Miki Kobayashi, a resident of Ishikawa, expressed her despair: "It’s not just that it’s a mess. The wall has collapsed, and you can see through to the next room. I don’t think we can live here anymore."
The Japanese military has dispatched 1,000 soldiers to assist in the rescue efforts.
Meanwhile, nuclear regulators have confirmed that several nuclear plants in the region are operating normally, alleviating fears of another nuclear disaster similar to the one in Fukushima in 2011.
Toshitaka Katada, a University of Tokyo professor specializing in disasters, highlighted the preparedness of the Japanese people: "There are probably no people on Earth who are as disaster-ready as the Japanese." He added, "Having too much confidence in the power of science is very dangerous. We are dealing with nature."
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