A chilling tsunami warning has been issued following a 5.9 magnitude earthquake that shook Japan. A local news outlet via NTV News reported a 20cm high tsunami wave observed at Kozushima Port, while a 50cm tsunami wave was seen in Hachijo-jima, Hachijo Town, Tokyo.
The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami advisory this morning for remote islands south of Tokyo after an earthquake potentially triggered by volcanic activity.
The agency warned of possible tsunami waves up to one metre above tide levels on the coasts of the Izu and Ogasawara island chains.
The US Geological Survey measured the quake’s strength at 5.6 magnitude.
Despite predicting small swelling of waves along the southeastern Pacific coasts, the JMA assured there is no danger from it.
A tsunami of about 50 centimetres (about 20 inches) was detected in the Yaene district on Hachijo Island roughly 30 minutes post-quake. Smaller tsunamis were detected on three other islands – Kozushima, Miyakejima and Izu Oshima, according to the agency.
The offshore quake occurred approximately 180 kilometres (111 miles) south of Hachijo island, which is about 300 kilometres (186 miles) south of Tokyo, the agency said. Residents on Hachijo island reported not feeling the quake and only hearing the tsunami advisory, as per Japan’s NHK public television.
A tsunami advisory was in effect following underwater volcanic activity, according to Tohoku University seismologist Fumihiko Imamura.
After an offshore quake hit with little notice, Imamura warned Tuesday that larger tsunamis could follow and urges vigilance amongst coastal residents.
Television footage showed waves splashing against a wharf on Hachijo island but no major swelling was seen.
Residents on Hachijo said they did not feel the quake and only heard the tsunami advisory, Japan’s NHK public television said.
Ryuji Minemoto, a Hachijo resident, told NHK that he was on high ground overlooking the ocean but didn’t notice changes in the water. “I can see some ships but they don’t seem to be moving violently,” he said. Minemoto said he did not feel the earlier quake.
Imamura said Tuesday’s tsunami was believed to be related to undersea volcanic activity. He said larger tsunami could arrive much later and urged coastal residents to keep their guards up while the advisory is in place.
The offshore quake was not felt, and no damage or injuries have been reported. He said the tsunami was believed to be related to undersea volcanic activity that might have caused a rise or sinking of parts of the seabed.
Imamura told NHK that such movement, unlike ordinary quakes, may not have caused rattling.
The tremor went largely unfelt and no casualties or damage have been reported so far.
Japan is home to around 21,500 people on the Izu Islands and a further 2,500 on the Ogasawara Islands, areas known for heightened seismic activity. it sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a line of seismic faults encircling the Pacific Ocean, and is one of the world’s most earthquake and tsunami-prone countries.
Japanese shipping company Tokai Kisen has cancelled its morning ferry services between Tokyo and Oshima, and between Atami and Oshima due to the tsunami warning issued in Izu Islands.
The Japan Meteorological Agency says slight sea level fluctuations are expected along the coast from Chiba to Daito Islands region of Okinawa.
In the past few minutes we’re hearing the tsunami warning for Izu and Ogasawara islands has been lifted.
Small tsunami waves washed ashore on remote Japanese islands Tuesday morning. The tsunami advisory was lifted about three hours after the quake. No damage or injuries were reported.
