Japan Earthquake: 8 Injured After 6.3-Magnitude Quake
Eight people were reported injured on Thursday after a 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck off southwestern Japan. The epicenter of the quake was between the islands of Kyushu and Shikoku, according to the United States Geological Survey.
Impact of the Earthquake
Japan experiences about 1,500 quakes every year, with the vast majority being mild. Even larger quakes usually cause little damage. Following the recent earthquake, a power plant in the area was reported to be operating normally by Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority.
Reports of Injuries and Damage
There were no reports of deaths directly caused by the quake, but regional governments and media indicated at least eight people with minor injuries. Two elderly individuals in Oita prefecture suffered minor injuries, while six others were reported to have minor injuries in the Ehime region.
Local television reported that public water pipes burst at multiple points in the city of Uwajima. Additionally, landslides and falling rocks blocked roads in the cities of Ozu and Uwajima.
Residents’ Experiences
Residents in the affected areas shared their experiences of the earthquake. One fisherman in Ehime described feeling a strong jolt that lasted for several seconds, causing minor damage in his house. The earthquake, although unsettling, did not result in major destruction.
Japan’s Seismic Activity
Japan sits on top of four major tectonic plates along the western edge of the Pacific’s “Ring of Fire,” making it one of the world’s most tectonically active countries. The country’s biggest quake on record was a massive 9.0-magnitude undersea temblor in March 2011, which triggered a devastating tsunami and nuclear disaster.