Japan: Tsunami advisories issued and initial reports of damage and service disruptions following magnitude-7.1 earthquake off Kyushu Island, Aug. 8 /update 1

Damage assessments are ongoing and tsunami advisories remain active across parts of western Japan following a magnitude-7.1 earthquake off Kyuhsu Island at around 17:42 Aug. 8. The epicenter of the quake was around 20 km (12 miles) off the coast of Myazaki Prefecture. The earthquake struck at a depth of 25 km (15 miles), and strong shaking was likely felt in coastal areas of Miyazaki Prefecture, as well as strong-to-moderate shaking across much of southeastern Kuushu Island, and moderate-to-light shaking across the rest of Kyushu, western parts of Shikoku Island, and other surrounding islands. Aftershocks measuring magnitude 4.8, magnitude 3.4, and magnitude 4.1 have been recorded since the initial tremor; further aftershocks are likely over the coming hours and days.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has issued an updated tsunami threat message warning that tsunami waves from the quake are possible within 300 km (186 miles) from the epicenter in coastal areas of Japan and the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued yellow tsunami advisories (the second lowest level on a four-tier scale) for coastal areas of eastern and southern Kyushu, southwestern Shikoku, and nearby smaller islands, as well blue tsunami forecasts for slight sea-level changes across much of the rest of the southern coast of western Japan.

Take-offs and landings have been suspended at Miyazaki Airport (KMI) to allow for runway inspections. Reports also indicate some minor damage to the airport building following the quake. The Kyushu Shinkansen and Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen railway lines have been suspended for checks, as has the Minamiaso Railway in Kumamoto Prefecture between Nakamatsu and Takamori; services are gradually beginning to resume on some lines following checks. Nuclear power plants in the regions have reported no abnormalities following initial inspections. At least one home has collapsed in Osaki Town and a landslide has been reported near Shibushi Port in Kagoshima Prefecture. Burst water pipes are affecting homes in Kushima in Miyazaki Prefecture. Two people have been treated for injuries in Kirishima City in Kagoshima Prefecture. No other damage reports or casualties have been confirmed; however, damage assessments are ongoing and it could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive assessments, especially in remote areas.