Japan: Magnitude-5.6 earthquake occurs off the west coast of Okinawa Island at around 05:52 Feb. 22

Event

A magnitude-5.6 earthquake occurred off the west coast of Okinawa Island at about 05:52 Feb. 22. The epicenter was about 136 km (84 miles) west-northwest of Naha. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 14km (8 miles) and light shaking was probably felt in Okinawa and Kagoshima. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties resulting from the earthquake; however, significant damage is unlikely. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Light aftershocks are likely over the coming days. The event has not prompted any tsunami advisories.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone 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, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.