Buildings damaged, train services suspended after M6.4 earthquake hits Noto Peninsula, Japan

The earthquake occurred at 13:47 UTC (22:47 LT) on Tuesday, November 26, with its epicenter located approximately 30 km (18 miles) west of the Noto Peninsula, at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles).

Train services on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line between Toyama and Kanazawa were temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure while the Shika Nuclear Power Plant (operated by Hokuriku Electric Power Company) reported no abnormalities. Both reactors at the plant have remained offline since 2011.

One injury was reported in the town of Tsubata in Kahoku district, Ishikawa Prefecture where a 72-year-old woman was hurt by falling debris, according to the local government.

There were also minor damages like falling objects and inspections of older buildings were carried out.

The JMA did not issue any tsunami warnings and officials reported only small changes in sea level along Japan’s coast.

The agency recorded over 75 aftershocks, most of which had magnitudes between 3 and 4.

Local authorities are monitoring vulnerable areas for landslides, especially given recent heavy rainfall.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) estimated that 1.3 million people experienced moderate shaking (intensity V) and 86 000 felt strong shaking (intensity VI).

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The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) initially reported M6.6 and later revised the magnitude to 6.4.

The USGS and European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) reported the quake as M6.1 and M6.4 at a depth of 10 km.

Authorities have warned people to be cautious of secondary dangers like landslides and soil liquefaction which are common in this area due to its geology.

Local governments have advised residents to review safety plans and keep emergency supplies ready, as aftershocks are expected in the coming days.

This was one the strongest seismic events in the region since the M7.6 earthquake on Monday, January 1, 2024, which resulted in over 440 fatalities, 168 822 damaged structures, and widespread infrastructural damage. The earthquake caused aftershocks that continued for weeks, leaving the area in a delicate recovery state.

In the city of Suzu where seismic intensity 4 was recorded, there were concerns about buildings that were damaged in the January earthquake and are still waiting to be demolished.

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Earthquake experts including Professor Kenji Statake from the University of Tokyo’s Earthquake Research Institute say the current earthquake is part of a series of aftershocks related to the January event. They note different fault mechanisms between the two showing the complexity of tectonic activity in this area.

The Noto Peninsula is located on the western edge of the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a tectonically active area where 4 major plates meet. Japan experiences around 1 500 earthquakes each year, making up roughly 18% of the world’s seismic activity.

While modern building codes help reduce damage, older structures mainly heavy wooden frames and reinforced masonry are still at risk during strong earthquakes.

References:

¹ Moderately strong quake hits off central Japan – The Japan Times – November 27, 2024

² M6.1 earthquake Noto Peninsula, Japan – USGS – November 26, 2024

³ M6.1 earthquake Noto Peninsula, Japan – EMSC – November 26, 2024

Rishika Yadav

Rishika holds a Master’s in International Studies from Stella Maris College, Chennai, India, where she earned a gold medal, and an MCA from the University of Mysore, Karnataka, India. Previously, she served as a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India. During her tenure, she contributed as a Junior Writer for Europe Monitor on the Global Politics website and as an Assistant Editor for The World This Week. Her work has also been published in The Hindu newspaper, showing her expertise in global affairs. Rishika is also a recipient of the Women Empowerment Award at the district level in Haryana, India, in 2022.

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