The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported that the tremor occurred at 16:27 today (14:27 Hanoi time) in Kumamoto prefecture, located on Kyushu island in southwest Japan. Japanese officials issued a warning for a potential tsunami up to one meter high, urging residents to evacuate coastal areas in Ariake and Yatsushiro, off the coast of Kyushu island.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) assessed the epicenter as being inland, at a depth of approximately 10 km. The Japanese government also issued an emergency earthquake warning for the prefectures of Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Fukuoka, Saga, Oita, and Miyazaki, all situated on Kyushu island. There have been no immediate reports of damage from the earthquake.

The epicenter of the 28/7 earthquake on Kyushu island, along with recommended tsunami warning areas (circled in yellow) in Ariake and Yatsushiro. *Graphic: JMA*

Japan is one of the world's most seismically active nations, situated at the boundary of four major tectonic plates along the Pacific Ring of Fire. This island nation, with a population of approximately 125 million, experiences hundreds of earthquakes annually, accounting for about 18% of global seismic events. While most tremors are mild, the extent of damage depends on the epicenter's location and depth.

The 9 magnitude undersea earthquake on 11/3/2011, which triggered a tsunami, resulted in approximately 18,500 deaths and disappearances and caused the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster. More recently, last April, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck northern Japan, injuring at least 10 people and causing high-rise buildings in Tokyo to sway. Following that tremor, Japanese officials issued a special warning regarding an increased risk of powerful earthquakes measuring 8 magnitude or higher, though this advisory was lifted after one week.

By Huyen Le (AFP, Reuters, Japan Times)