Strong and shallow M6.4 earthquake hits near the coast of Noto Peninsula, Japan
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) as M6.4 hit near the coast of Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, at 13:47 UTC on November 26, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). USGS are EMSC are reporting M6.1 at a depth of 10 km.
Image credit: TW/SAM, Google
The epicenter was located 35 km (21.8 miles) NW of Hakui (population 24 529), 42 km (26 miles) WSW of Anamizu (population 17 840), and 44 km (27 miles) W of Nanao (population 45 309), Ishikawa, Japan.
According to the USGS PAGER, 86 000 people are estimated to have felt strong shaking, 1 330 000 moderate, and 4 846 000 light.
The USGS issued a Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are resistant to earthquake shaking, though vulnerable structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are heavy wood frame and reinforced/confined masonry construction.
Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides, fires and liquefaction that might have contributed to losses.
This region was hit by a devastating M7.6 (JMA) earthquake at 07:10 UTC on January 1, 2024, leaving 462 people dead and 2 missing. Over 440 fatalities were reported in Ishikawa, 4 in Niigata, and 2 in Toyama.
The quake damaged 168 822 structures and injured 1 300. JMA has named the quake as 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake.
Read more:
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Selected cities exposed
Regional seismicity
References:
1 M6.1 earthquake Noto Peninsula, Japan – USGS – November 26, 2024
2 M6.1 earthquake Noto Peninsula, Japan – EMSC – November 26, 2024
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
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