Earthquake Triggers Tsunami Warnings And Widespread Damage

Japan Hit By 7.5 Earthquake

Earthquake Triggers Tsunami Warnings And Widespread Damage

EEW System Provides Advance Notice Of Quake

A powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck western Japan on Monday, triggering tsunami warnings and causing widespread damage. The earthquake struck at 10:33 am local time (1:33 am GMT) and was centered in the Fukushima prefecture, about 200 kilometers (125 miles) northeast of Tokyo. The quake was followed by a series of powerful aftershocks, including one measuring 6.5 magnitude.

The quake triggered tsunami warnings for the Japanese coast, and waves of up to one meter (three feet) were recorded in some areas. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has since lifted the tsunami warnings, but residents in coastal areas are being urged to remain vigilant.

The earthquake caused widespread damage, with buildings collapsing and roads buckling. Several fires have also been reported. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, but it is feared that the death toll could rise.

The Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) system, which provides advance notice of the estimated seismic intensity and shaking, gave residents in Japan several seconds of warning before the quake struck. The EEW system is credited with saving lives in past earthquakes, and it is likely that it helped to reduce the number of casualties in this quake.