A magnitude 7.1 earthquake hit south portion of Japan on Thursday, injuring atleast 8 individuals from the incident, which led the Japanese government to issue a warning for a possible ‘megaquake.’
In an advisory, Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) stated that there is a higher than normal possibility of an occurrence of a new major earthquake, given the tremor recorded on Thursday, as well as the minor quakes that occurred since then.
JMA, however, clarified that this notice “is not an indication that a major earthquake will definitely occur during a specific period of time.”
Despite this, the ‘megaquake’ advisory serves as an alert that if a major earthquake were to occur in the future, possibility of strong shakings and large tsunamis should not go unnoticed.
This advisory also includes preparation notice for citizens to possibility of an 8-9 magnitude mega-earthquake that could strike off Japan’s coast.
It was also the first megaquake advisory issued by JMA since the new system was made in 2011.
Also following the advisory, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has already cancelled his trip to Central Asia and opt to stay in the country to aid in calamity response and crisis management.