First Ever ‘Megaquake’ Warning Declared as Tsunami Concerns Rise

This earthquake has prompted significant developments and warnings.

The earthquake occurred at 4:42 p.m. local time on August 8, 2024.

Small waves of up to 1.6 feet were recorded in these locations.

However, there are still some concerns that a megaquake could happen off the back of all of this, which could cause more chaos than a tsunami ever could.

This indicates a higher probability of a critical earthquake along the Nankai Trough in the immediate future.

It is an underwater subduction zone where the Eurasian Plate collides with the Philippine Sea Plate. The Philippine Plate goes under the Eurasian Plate, and it then enters the Earth’s mantle.

There were no immediate reports of extreme damage or long-term injuries.

However, there were reports of landslides and malfunctioning traffic lights in Miyazaki Prefecture.

This earthquake has elevated concerns because of Japan’s past incidences of decimating earthquakes.

Hong Kong authorities have warned its civilians to stay away from Japan. However, they have said if they still intend to visit, they should remain vigilant, remain safe and pay close attention to warnings from the Japanese government.

The amber alert is the lowest type on the three-tier system, which also includes red and black warnings. It was created to help those traveling from Hong Kong to other countries stay alert regarding ongoing events in the country they are traveling to.

The Japanese government subsequently accentuated the requirement for carefulness and readiness concerning earthquake safety.

Shinkansen services along the Kyushu lines and a ferry service from Kobe to Miyazaki were suspended as a safety measure.

Shirahama, a popular seaside town in Wakayama, has decided to close its beaches, outdoor hot springs, parks and other facilities until next week. An annual fireworks festival has also been canceled.

They encouraged inhabitants to be wary of additional seismic activity and possible landslides.

The Nankai Trough is known to be a major source of seismic activity.

Current estimates suggest a 70-80% chance of an earthquake with a magnitude of 8 or 9 happening in the next 30 years.

According to the experts, long-term risks are always present, but short-term risks tend to arise whenever something happens, such as an earthquake. As each day passes without another earthquake, the short-term risks start to decrease.

The Nankai Trough has several segments, but if the entire plate were to slip at the same time, there would be a 9.1-magnitude earthquake.

It is believed that around 300,000 people would be killed in the megaquake, and $13 trillion would need to be spent. However, it is important to note this is the worst-case scenario and might not even happen.

This means that people should still remain on high alert over the next few days and know their evacuation routes.

This is why officials are urging civilians to remain vigilant and evacuate any areas considered high-risk if they are told to do so. This is to reduce any harm to life if a megaquake does happen.

Even though it is easy for people to do this when in a worrying situation, officials want to make sure they know the full facts before anyone takes drastic action.

They were held to inform the public of safety measures and to call for constant vigilance. Kishida canceled a planned visit to Central Asia following the warning of a ‘megaquake.’