Japan Ishikawa Prefecture Magnitude 7.6 Earthquake... Tsunami, Impact on East Coast (Comprehensive)

5m High Local Tsunami Detected
Tsunami Warning for Northern Coastal Areas of Japan Facing the East Sea
Possible Impact on Korea Around 6:30 PM

A strong earthquake occurred on the 1st in the Ishikawa Prefecture region of central northern Japan.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency and local media, at 4:10 PM on the same day, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck the Noto area of Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan.

NHK reported that a 5-meter-high tsunami was detected in Ishikawa Prefecture due to the earthquake. The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued tsunami warnings not only for Ishikawa Prefecture but also for the northern coastal areas of Japan facing the Sea of Japan, including Yamagata, Niigata, Fukuyama, Fukui, and Hyogo Prefectures.

On the afternoon of the 1st, a strong earthquake occurred in the northern sea area of Toyama Prefecture, Japan, causing a tsunami to hit the East Coast. As the risk of sea level rise increased, administrative authorities including the fire department are blocking access to the breakwater at Gangneung Port, Gangneung City, Gangwon Province. 2024.1.1 [Image source=Yonhap News]

In Ishikawa Prefecture, shaking with a maximum seismic intensity of 7 was also detected. Unlike magnitude, which indicates the absolute strength of an earthquake, the seismic intensity scale used by the Japan Meteorological Agency is a relative concept that quantifies the degree of shaking felt by people and objects in the affected area. The scale ranges from '0' to '7', with '7' indicating shaking so severe that standing is impossible.

It was reported that the impact of this earthquake was strong enough to be felt inside high-rise buildings in Tokyo, southern Japan. Some merchants posted videos on social media showing their goods falling during the shaking.

The Japanese government established a countermeasures office at the Prime Minister's Crisis Management Center following the earthquake. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida instructed thorough disaster emergency measures, including victim rescue efforts.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Agency warned that the strong earthquake in Japan could cause a tsunami to reach parts of the east coast, potentially raising sea levels.

The expected tsunami arrival times are 6:29 PM in Gangneung, 6:32 PM in Yangyang, 6:48 PM in Goseong, and 7:17 PM in Pohang, Gyeongbuk. The maximum height of the tsunami is expected to be less than 0.5 meters.

The Meteorological Agency explained, "Some parts of the Gangwon coast may experience elevated sea levels due to the tsunami, so please exercise caution for safety," adding, "The tsunami height does not include tidal effects and may gradually increase after reaching the coast."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.