Japan: Magnitude 6.0 earthquake hits Okinawa prefecture (south) May 9

Event

An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.0 on the Richter scale struck southern Japan on Tuesday, May 9. The quake hit at a depth of 10 km (6 mi) in waters off the island of Miyako, part of the southern Okinawan archipelago, located at some 1840 km (1140 mi) southwest of the capital Tokyo. No tsunami warning was issued and no damage or injuries have been reported thus far.

Context

Japan sits at the junction of four tectonic plates and experiences a number of relatively violent earthquakes every year. Rigid building codes and strict enforcement means even strong tremors often do little damage. However, a massive undersea quake in March 2011 sent a tsunami barreling into Japan's northeast coast, leaving more than 18,000 people dead or missing and sending three reactors into meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear plant. In April 2016, two strong earthquakes followed by more than 1700 aftershocks hit the southern prefecture of Kumamoto, leaving at least 50 dead and causing widespread damage.

Advice

Individuals present in affected areas are advised to be prepared for aftershocks. Generally speaking, after a powerful earthquake, check for damages and take note of your surroundings. If indoors, shut off water, gas, and electricity lines and evacuate the building.