The Japan Meteorological Agency issued extreme heat warnings on July 7, 2024, after parts of Japan broke record heat levels. On the same day, Shizuoka touched 40 °C (104 °F), marking its highest recorded temperature since records began in 1940. The heatwave has led to four deaths and over 2 000 hospitalizations.
A deep earthquake registered by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) as M6.3 hit off the west coast of Ogasawara Islands at 20:02 UTC on July 7, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 530 km (329 miles). USGS is reporting M6.2 at a depth of 571 km (354 miles).
A very strong earthquake registered by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) as M6.9 hit off the west coast of Ogasawara Islands, Japan at 08:35 UTC (17:35 JST) on April 27, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 540 km (335 miles). USGS is reporting M6.5 at a depth of 503 km (312 miles), EMSC M6.5 at a depth of 497 km (308 miles).
A strong earthquake registered by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) as M6.4 hit Shikoku at 14:14 UTC (23:14 LT) on April 17, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 50 km (31 miles). USGS is reporting M6.3 at a depth of 25.7 km (16 miles).
Many heat records have been shattered in northern Japan with the start of the new week.
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.1 hit off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture, Japan at 03:16 UTC on April 4, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 40 km (25 miles). The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) is reporting M6.0 at a depth of 40 km.
A large waterspout made landfall on the island of Ie in Japan’s Okinawa on March 5, 2024, damaging several buildings.
In the aftermath of the January 1 earthquake, the city of Wajima in Ishikawa Prefecture faces significant challenges due to liquefaction, severely impacting infrastructure and complicating relief efforts. Continuous aftershocks further hinder the restoration process, with houses, roads, and manholes notably affected. Governor Hiroshi Hase has requested a comprehensive investigation from the central government to address the escalating situation, emphasizing the need for seismic reinforcement of underground infrastructure.
A strong eruption took place at Sakurajima’s Minamidake crater at 09:33 UTC (18:33 LT) on February 14, 2024, producing a thick black ash column that rose up to 6 km (20 000 feet) above sea level accompanied by volcanic lightning. This is the strongest eruption at Sakurajima since 2020.
A strong earthquake registered by the JMA as M6.3 hit Volcano Islands, Japan at 11:19 UTC on February 12, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 260 km (161 miles). The USGS is reporting the quake as M6.1 at a depth of 250 km (155 miles); EMSC as M6.0 at a depth of 254 km (159 miles).
