Destructive M7.6 earthquake in Japan results in at least 222 fatalities, 1.2 m (4 feet) tsunami waves, and a land shift of up to 3 m (10 feet)

Destructive M7.6 earthquake in Japan results in at least 222 fatalities, 1.2 m (4 feet) tsunami waves, and a land shift of up to 3 m (10 feet)

A powerful M7.6 earthquake struck Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, at 07:10 UTC (16:10 local time) on January 1, 2024, leaving extensive damage, at least 126 fatalities, and prompting a massive rescue effort. The quake led to tsunami waves of more than 120 cm (3.9 feet) and significant crustal changes, with up to 3 m (10 feet) of displacement in some areas. The region faces ongoing aftershocks and difficult rescue conditions.

Strong and shallow M6.5 earthquake hits Kuril Islands

Strong and shallow M6.5 earthquake hits Kuril Islands

A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.5 hit Kuril Islands at 09:15 UTC on December 28, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 23.8 km (14.8 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.5 at a depth of 13 km (8 miles).

Tsunami waves up to 60 cm (2 feet) hit Japan’s Izu Islands following shallow M5.0 earthquake

Tsunami waves up to 60 cm (2 feet) hit Japan’s Izu Islands following shallow M5.0 earthquake

Japan’s Izu Islands and parts of the Pacific Coast near Tokyo experienced tsunami waves up to 60 cm (2 feet) in height triggered by a shallow M5.0 earthquake that occurred at 20:26 UTC on October 8, 2023 (05:26 local time, October 9). The quake’s epicenter was situated near the uninhabited Torishima Island at the southern end of the Izu chain and is part of an ongoing earthquake swarm in the region.

Strong and shallow M6.6 earthquake hits Izu Islands, Japan

Strong and shallow M6.6 earthquake hits Izu Islands, Japan

A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the JMA as M6.6 hit Izu Islands, Japan at 01:59 UTC on October 5, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). The USGS is reporting M6.1 at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles); EMSC M6.1 at a depth of 9 km (5.6 miles).

Strong M6.3 earthquake hits Izu Islands, Japan

Strong M6.3 earthquake hits Izu Islands, Japan

A strong earthquake registered by the JMA as M6.3 hit Izu Islands, Japan at 11:38 UTC on October 3, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 40 km (25 miles). The USGS is reporting M6.1 at a depth of 11.9 km (7.4 miles); EMSC M6.1 at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles).

M6.4 earthquake hits west of Okinawa at intermediate depth

M6.4 earthquake hits west of Okinawa at intermediate depth

A strong earthquake registered by the Japan Meteorological Agency as M6.4 hit west of Okinawa, Japan at 13:21 UTC on September 18, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 170 km (105 miles). USGS is reporting M6.3 at a depth of 183 km (113 miles).

Intense earthquake swarm in Noto Peninsula linked to ancient or hidden magmatic activity, Japan

Intense earthquake swarm in Noto Peninsula linked to ancient or hidden magmatic activity, Japan

An intense earthquake swarm that began around the end of 2019 in the northeastern Noto Peninsula, Japan, has been tied to fluids released by ancient, or possibly unknown modern, magmatic activity. This finding, published in JGR Solid Earth, challenges previous assumptions that such seismic activity could not occur in areas devoid of volcanic activity for over 10 million years.

Strong M6.2 earthquake hits Hokkaido, Japan

Strong M6.2 earthquake hits Hokkaido, Japan

A strong earthquake registered by the JMA as M6.2 hit Hokkaido, Japan at 09:54 UTC on June 11, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 140 km (87 miles). USGS is reporting M5.2 at a depth of 123 km (76 miles), EMSC M6.2 at a depth of 112 km (69 miles).