Biden Offers "All Support" for Japan Earthquake... Magnitude 4.1 Quake Also Hits Off LA Coast

U.S. President Joe Biden stated on January 1st (local time), the first day of the new year, regarding the magnitude 7.6 earthquake that occurred in the western region of Japan, "We are ready and willing to provide all necessary support for the people of Japan."

In a statement on the same day, President Biden said, "Jill and I are praying for the people of Japan affected by the earthquake." He added, "The U.S. administration is in contact with Japanese officials," and promised, "Our hearts are with the people of Japan during this difficult time."

U.S. President Joe Biden. [Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

On that day, a major earthquake with a maximum magnitude of 7.6 struck the Noto Peninsula area in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, triggering a large tsunami warning and causing successive damages. Starting with a magnitude 5.7 earthquake, dozens of tremors up to 7.6 were observed, resulting in several injuries including 4 confirmed deaths. The maximum magnitude of 7.6 is smaller than the magnitude 9.0 Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011 but larger than the magnitude 7.0 Great Hanshin Earthquake in January 1995. Local media reported that the issuance of a large tsunami warning was the first since the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011.

Meanwhile, on January 1st, a magnitude 4.1 earthquake also occurred offshore near Los Angeles (LA), USA. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), at 8:27 a.m. that day, a magnitude 4.1 earthquake struck offshore 19 km south of Rancho Palos Verdes in southwestern Los Angeles County, California. Although no damage or injuries have been reported from the earthquake, residents in the area reportedly expressed anxiety as shaking was felt.

However, this earthquake is diagnosed to be unrelated to the earthquake in Japan. Dr. Lucy Jones, an American seismologist, posted on her social media account X (formerly Twitter) that "The magnitude 4.1 earthquake off the coast of Palos Verdes in Southern California is completely unrelated to the earthquake in Japan," and added, "It is not close to any known fault."

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