Powerful 5.9 magnitude earthquake jolts central Japan.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), a 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck central Japan early Monday morning. The shallow quake’s epicenter was located in the Noto Peninsula, and no tsunami threat was issued.
Local officials are assessing the impact without initial reports of damage, according to public broadcaster NHK. However, many structures in the region may be weakened from the powerful 6.7 quake this January, which claimed over 230 lives during New Year’s Day celebrations.
Around 10 minutes later, the JMA recorded a 4.8 magnitude aftershock in the same vicinity. As a precaution, the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant operator halted operations for impact checks.
Situated at the confluence of four tectonic plates, Japan experiences around 1,500 seismic tremors yearly, amounting to 18% of global earthquakes. While most are insignificant, the recent quake revived concerns about the equally devastating January event’s aftermath.
Despite being one of the world’s most seismically prone countries, Japan’s advanced construction practices and strict building codes, given its status as the fourth largest economy, help mitigate much damage even during large quakes. Authorities continue monitoring the region for any geological activities.
