Post by : Rameen Ariff

Japan is on high alert after a powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck off its eastern coast near Aomori and just south of Hokkaido on Monday, leaving 34 people with mild injuries and causing moderate damage to roads and buildings. While officials stress that the advisory is not a prediction, the Japanese Meteorological Agency has warned that the earthquake temporarily increased the risk of a much larger quake in the region.

Authorities have highlighted that areas along the Hokkaido and Sanriku coast are particularly vulnerable due to the presence of the Japan Trench and Chishima Trench, major fault lines that have historically triggered some of Japan’s largest earthquakes. Experts point to the 2011 disaster, which claimed nearly 20,000 lives, as an example of the potential devastation a megaquake can cause. That event occurred shortly after a smaller 7.3-magnitude tremor, showing that a significant quake can follow a strong but less destructive earthquake.

The government has estimated that a potential magnitude 8 or larger earthquake in the Hokkaido-Sanriku offshore area could generate tsunami waves as high as 98 feet, threaten the lives of nearly 200,000 people, destroy over 220,000 houses and buildings, and inflict economic losses up to $198 billion (31 trillion yen). Winter conditions could further endanger up to 42,000 people through hypothermia if evacuation and relief measures are delayed.

Japanese authorities are urging residents in coastal municipalities to prepare emergency bags and remain vigilant. The advisory currently covers 182 municipalities from Hokkaido down to Chiba prefecture. Local governments are actively inspecting emergency supplies, relief goods, and evacuation centers to ensure readiness for a possible catastrophic event.

Meteorological experts continue to monitor seismic activity closely and advise the public to remain alert for potential aftershocks or a larger quake, emphasizing the importance of early preparation and swift evacuation to reduce casualties and property damage.

This situation underscores Japan’s ongoing vulnerability to earthquakes and tsunamis and highlights the critical need for public awareness and government preparedness to mitigate potential disasters in the Hokkaido and Sanriku regions.

#Global Updates #World News