Japan issues first ‘megaquake’ warning for Nankai Trough after strong temblor
SUMMARY
Japan has issued its first-ever warning for a potential “megaquake” following a 7.1-magnitude earthquake off the coast of Miyazaki prefecture on Kyushu island. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) alerted the public to an elevated risk of a major quake in the nearby Nankai Trough, a region notorious for seismic activity. While a tsunami alert was also issued, with waves expected to reach 1 meter (3.3 feet), the JMA cautioned that these could escalate quickly. The quake struck at a depth of 30 kilometers (18.6 miles), prompting Japan Rail to suspend bullet train services as a precaution. The Nankai Trough has a history of deadly quakes, with the last major one occurring in 1946, killing over 1,300 people.
