09 Oct 2023 | 12:05 AM UTC
Japan: Authorities update tsunami advisory to include coasts of several prefectures following earthquakes near Izu Islands Oct. 9 /update 1
Officials extend tsunami advisory to additional Japanese regions after earthquakes occur near Izu Islands Oct. 9; avoid affected coastlines.
Event
Following a series of offshore earthquakes that occurred near the Izu Islands early Oct. 9, authorities extended their related tsunami advisory to include several additional regions. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the following regions were under a tsunami advisory as of shortly before 08:30:
Izu Islands
Ogasawara Islands
Eastern and southwestern Chiba Prefecture
Kochi Prefecture
Miyazaki Prefecture
Eastern Kagoshima Prefecture
Tanegashima/Yakushima Region
Amami/Tokara Islands
Waves of up to 1 meter (3 feet) are forecast to impact coastal areas in the abovementioned regions; the JMA has notably reported a maximum wave height of 60 cm (2 feet) at Hachijo-jima. Officials have advised those near coastal areas, rivers, or lakes to immediately seek higher ground. Authorities may extend, rescind, or otherwise modify the tsunami advisory over the coming hours.
The earthquake that prompted the initial tsunami advisory reportedly occurred at 05:25 and registered as a magnitude-4.9 temblor, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). Additional earthquakes subsequently struck the Izu Islands region, with some registering higher magnitudes, including a magnitude-5.4 earthquake that occurred at around 06:17 and was located some 552 km (342 miles) south of Shimoda, Japan. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquakes; however, damage is possible due to tsunami waves. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are likely over the coming days.
Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the impacted zones to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible in areas impacted by shaking and/or tsunami waves.
Advice
Move away from the immediate coastline in areas forecast to be impacted by tsunami waves; tsunamis can be long-duration events, and the threat may persist for hours. Consider vacating multistory buildings or unreinforced structures in areas where shaking occurred; aftershocks could cause additional damage. Cellular networks may be overwhelmed; use text messaging if services are available. Due to the threat of landslides, seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in affected areas.
