Image courtesy of YouTube
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has decided to issue a “Hokkaido/Sanriku Offshore Earthquake Warning” following an earthquake with a maximum intensity of 5+ that occurred off the coast of Sanriku at around 4:53 p.m. The JMA plans to urge people to take disaster prevention measures in accordance with calls from the government and local municipalities. Here is an explanation from Professor Emeritus Junzo Kasahara of the University of Tokyo.
◆Areas where warning types have been updated Pacific coast of Aomori Prefecture: The tsunami advisory has been changed to a tsunami warning. Sea of Japan coast of Aomori Prefecture: A tsunami advisory has been issued. Damage from tsunamis will occur. People in coastal areas and along rivers should immediately evacuate to a safe place such as high ground or an evacuation building. Tsunamis will strike repeatedly. Do not leave a safe place until the warning is lifted. According to the JMA, a strong earthquake occurred off the coast of Sanriku at 4:52 p.m. on the 20th. The depth of the epicenter was more than 10 kilometers. The magnitude of the earthquake is estimated to be 7.5.
◆ About Tsunami Information When a “Tsunami Warning” is issued A tsunami warning is issued when the expected maximum wave height of the tsunami exceeds 1 meter in some areas but is 3 meters or less. Tsunamis will strike low-lying areas, causing flooding damage. People will be swept away by the currents of the tsunami. People in coastal areas or along rivers should immediately evacuate to a safe place such as high ground or an evacuation building. Tsunamis will strike repeatedly. Do not leave a safe place until the warning is lifted.
◆ When a “Tsunami Advisory” is issued A tsunami advisory is issued when the expected maximum wave height of the tsunami is 0.2 meters or more but is 1 meter or less in some areas, and there is a risk of disaster caused by the tsunami. People in the sea will be swept away by strong currents, and aquaculture rafts will be swept away and small boats will capsize. People in the sea should immediately get out of the water and move away from the coast. Strong currents will continue, so do not enter the sea or approach the coast until the advisory is lifted.
[LIVE] Hokkaido/Sanriku Offshore Earthquake Warning Issued Following the earthquake that registered a maximum seismic intensity of 5+ in Aomori Prefecture, a “Hokkaido/Sanriku Offshore Earthquake Warning” has been issued.
This warning indicates that the possibility of a large-scale earthquake occurring is “relatively higher” than normal. We will provide an archive of the Japan Meteorological Agency’s press conference held shortly after 7:30 p.m. on the 20th, as well as the information on Hokkaido broadcast by HBC.
An earthquake with a maximum intensity of 5+ struck the Tohoku region. A tsunami warning was also issued. Here are some images of the moment of the earthquake in various locations. This is footage from immediately after the earthquake. Houses in Sendai City are shaking violently. Lights in commercial facilities are swaying wildly. In Iwate Prefecture, power lines are shaking up and down, making it difficult to stand. Aomori Prefecture also experienced violent shaking. Cars are moving up and down and side to side.
Prime Minister Takaichi: “At approximately 4:53 p.m. today, an earthquake occurred off the coast of Sanriku, with a maximum intensity of 5-plus observed in Aomori Prefecture. Tsunami warnings have also been issued for Iwate Prefecture, the central Pacific coast of Hokkaido, and the Pacific coast of Aomori Prefecture.
Residents in the areas under tsunami warnings should immediately evacuate to higher ground or evacuation buildings, or any safer location. Immediately after the earthquake, the government established a liaison office at the Prime Minister’s Office Crisis Management Center, and based on my instructions, is working diligently to assess the damage, implement emergency disaster response measures such as rescue and relief, and provide timely and accurate information to the public. At this time, we are still confirming the extent of human and material damage, but we will continue to receive detailed reports and respond to the disaster.”
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, an earthquake with a maximum intensity of 5-plus was observed in the Tohoku region at approximately 4:53 p.m. on the 20th. Tsunami warnings have been issued for the central Pacific coast of Hokkaido, the Pacific coast of Aomori Prefecture, and Iwate Prefecture. The highest seismic intensity of 5-strong was observed in Sanpachi-Kamikita, Aomori Prefecture. Seismic intensity of 5-weak was observed in the northern coastal, northern inland, and southern inland areas of Iwate Prefecture, and in northern Miyagi Prefecture. Shaking was also observed in a wide area. Tsunami warnings have been issued for the central Pacific coast of Hokkaido, the Pacific coast of Aomori Prefecture, and Iwate Prefecture. An 80-centimeter tsunami was observed at Kuji Port. Following the tsunami warning, evacuation orders have been issued to more than 150,000 people in Hokkaido, Aomori Prefecture, and other areas. [TV Asahi NEWS]
At approximately 4:53 p.m. on April 20th, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck off the coast of Sanriku, registering a maximum seismic intensity of 4 in Hakodate City and Niikappu Town in Hokkaido.
A tsunami warning was issued following the earthquake. A 40-centimeter tsunami was observed in Urakawa Town at 6:31 p.m. In Hakodate City, an earthquake early warning sounded, and strong lateral shaking was felt.
According to Hakodate City, there have been no reports of injuries. Along the coast of Hokkaido, residents were seen evacuating to higher ground amidst blaring sirens.
Today’s earthquake registered a maximum intensity of 5+ on the Japanese seismic intensity scale, and evacuation orders were issued to over 150,000 people. We have compiled a video summary of what happened so far.
