Japan: Magnitude-5.6 offshore earthquake occurs near Kyushu at around 03:06 JST Dec. 18

Event

A magnitude-5.6 offshore earthquake occurred near Kyushu at around 03:06 JST Dec. 18. The epicenter was about 27 km (16 miles) southeast of Miyazaki, Japan. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 38 km (23 miles), and light-to-moderate shaking was probably felt in parts of Kyushu. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake; significant damage is unlikely. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. 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 where shaking occurred.

Advice

Out of an abundance of caution, consider vacating multistory buildings where shaking occurred until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Monitor and plan for aftershocks.