Strong Quakes Hit Japan, Triggering Tsunami Warnings

Japan faced a series of strong earthquakes on January 1, 2024, along its western coastline, prompting tsunami warnings and evacuation orders.

The Japan Meteorological Agency reported earthquakes off the coast of Ishikawa and nearby prefectures, with one of them reaching a preliminary magnitude of 7.6. I Photo: Kyodo

According to Yuri Kageyama's report for the Associated Press (AP), the Japan Meteorological Agency reported earthquakes off the coast of Ishikawa and nearby prefectures, with one of them reaching a preliminary magnitude of 7.6.

Major tsunami warnings were issued for Ishikawa, and lower-level warnings or advisories were issued for the rest of the western coast of Japan’s main island of Honshu.

NHK TV, Japan's public broadcaster, warned of potential tsunami waves as high as 5 meters (16.5 feet) and advised people to evacuate to higher ground or the top of nearby buildings. The threat persisted as multiple aftershocks continued to rock the region, keeping warnings in effect more than two hours after the initial alert.

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