After a 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck the waters near Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan on the 8th, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued the "Temporary Information on Earthquakes in the South China Sea Trough - Great Earthquake Warning", which is the first major earthquake warning ever issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency.
The Japan Meteorological Agency stated that after assessment, the likelihood of a major earthquake occurring in the South China Sea trough in the future has increased compared to usual, but this does not necessarily mean that a major earthquake will occur. The report states that this alert may last for about a week, but even if the alert is lifted in the future, residents should not take it lightly.
Affected by this, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced on the 9th the emergency cancellation of his overseas visit plan. He stated that as the highest official in charge of national crisis management, he will stay in Japan for at least a week.
Miyazaki, Kochi and Shizuoka counties launched earthquake preparedness on the 9th, Xinhua reported. On the morning of the 9th, Miyazaki Prefecture held a disaster response headquarters meeting, and the city of Hinan under its jurisdiction inspected the opening of shelters and repaired water pipes damaged by the earthquake; As of the morning of September 9, some areas in Gaozhi County had set up at least 75 places to avoid difficulties; Shizuoka Prefecture requires emergency department officials to maintain 24-hour standby for the next week.
In the most severe case
The death toll exceeds 320000
It is reported that a "massive earthquake" generally refers to a strong earthquake that occurs only once every 100 to 150 years, with a magnitude of 8 or even 9 or above. Once it occurs, it will cause catastrophic damage.
According to Red Star News, the Japan Meteorological Agency's "Great Earthquake Warning" for the South China Sea Trough is divided into two levels - a general warning (triggered by earthquakes of magnitude 7-8 in the surrounding area) and a higher level warning (triggered by earthquakes of magnitude 8 or above in the surrounding area). The warning issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency on the 8th belongs to the former, but is only to remind people to prepare for evacuation and not to evacuate immediately.
The South China Sea Trough in Japan extends from Shizuoka Prefecture (west of Tokyo) to the waters of Nankyushu. This trough, located at the boundary between the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate, is 800 kilometers long and triggers a "large thrust zone earthquake" of magnitude 8 to 9 every 100 to 200 years, causing huge waves and tsunamis that result in massive casualties.
It is understood that large thrust faults, which are the boundaries between subducting oceanic plates and overlying plates, have nurtured most of the world's major earthquakes of magnitude 8 or above. In 1707, most of the South China Sea Trough rupture zone broke almost simultaneously, causing the "Baoyong earthquake" in Japan with a magnitude of 8.4, triggering a large-scale tsunami. In 1854, Japan experienced another strong earthquake caused by a large thrust fault in the South China Sea. In 1946, due to activities in the South China Sea Trough, Japan experienced a major earthquake in the South China Sea, causing huge waves and tsunamis, resulting in thousands of deaths or missing persons. This was also the latest earthquake in Japan caused by the South China Sea Trough.
Officials from the Japan Meteorological Agency stated that even if there is no earthquake on the 8th, it is expected that a major earthquake may occur near the South China Sea trough in the future. However, the earthquake on the 8th further increases this possibility. It is reported that the epicenter of this earthquake is about 560 miles (about 901 kilometers) away from the South China Sea trough.
The Japanese government's Earthquake Investigation Commission predicted in January that there is a 70% to 80% chance of an earthquake of magnitude 8 to 9 occurring near the South China Sea trough in the next 30 years.
According to Xinhua News Agency, according to Japanese media, once a major earthquake occurs in the South China Sea trough, the Kanto region along Japan's Pacific coast, including the capital Tokyo, to Kyushu and Okinawa will be hit by strong earthquakes and tsunamis. In the most severe case, the death toll caused by the earthquake is expected to exceed 320000, and at least 2.38 million houses will be damaged.
Mineral water was sold out and dry food was out of stock
Xinhua News Agency quoted Japanese media reports that in order to prepare for a major earthquake, people in Shizuoka Prefecture purchased a large amount of daily necessities such as drinking water, instant noodles, and toilet paper from supermarkets on the 9th, and some supermarkets were out of stock. Many supermarkets are urging the public not to hoard goods excessively, so that more people can buy them.
According to CCTV News, after Japan warned of the South China Sea trough earthquake, some supermarkets ran out of drinking water and dry food, and e-commerce platforms were temporarily paralyzed. The report stated, "Japanese media reported that mineral water on the shelves of supermarkets across the Japanese archipelago was sold out in one go
According to Poster News, in the "South China Sea Trough Earthquake Disaster Prevention Measures Promotion Area", more and more people are flocking to supermarkets, cosmetics stores, convenience stores, and hardware stores to buy drinking water, and many store shelves have been swept away. Instant food, card stoves and gas cylinders, fixed furniture poles and anti slip pads have also become hot selling products. A shop owner bluntly stated that their sales volume has increased tenfold compared to usual.
However, Tsuda Makoto, an official from the Japan Meteorological Agency, emphasized at a press conference on the 8th that although the possibility of a major earthquake is expected to increase, "this does not necessarily mean that a major earthquake will occur on a specific date." Geological experts Kyle Bradley and Judith A. Hubbard also believe that major earthquakes that have occurred in the history of the South China Sea Trough are indeed frightening, but there is no need for the public to panic now, "because the possibility of a major earthquake immediately occurring in the South China Sea Trough after the 7.1-magnitude earthquake on the 8th is very small." The Japan Meteorological Agency also stated that globally, the probability of another earthquake of magnitude 8 or above occurring within 7 days after a magnitude 7 earthquake in the same region is "about a few hundred percent. One of them.
However, there are reports warning that there may be no warning signs when a major earthquake occurs, and "people need to integrate earthquake prevention measures into their daily lives
The Chinese Embassy in Japan reminds compatriots in Japan to take precautions
In addition, on August 8th, the Chinese Embassy in Japan issued a reminder message: According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, at 4:43 pm local time on August 8th, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake occurred in the Hinata Beach area of Miyazaki Prefecture, with a depth of 30 kilometers. Subsequently, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a temporary warning for earthquakes in the South China Sea trough, stating that the possibility of a major earthquake occurring near the trough has increased compared to usual. If an earthquake occurs, it may lead to strong earthquakes or tsunamis, and requires all regions to take disaster prevention and warning measures.
To ensure foolproof measures, the Chinese Embassy in Japan reminds its compatriots in Japan to closely monitor earthquake dynamics, weather warnings, and disaster prevention information, follow the prevention and evacuation instructions issued by the local government, enhance self-protection awareness, and strengthen their own safety precautions. In case of emergency, please promptly report to the police and contact the Japanese Embassy for assistance.
Emergency call numbers in Japan: 110 (police), 118 (maritime accidents, shipwrecks), 119 (firefighting, first aid)
Japanese Meteorological Agency Chinese Information Website: https://www.data.jma.go.jp/multi/index.html?lang=cn_zs
Global Consular Protection and Service Emergency Hotline of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (24 hours):
+86-10-12308,+86-10-65612308
Consular Protection and Assistance Hotline of the Embassy in Japan:+81-3-6450-2195
Consular Protection and Assistance Hotline of the Consulate General in Osaka:+81-6-6445-9427
Consular Protection and Assistance Hotline of the Consulate General in Fukuoka:+81-92-753-6483
Consular Protection and Assistance Hotline of the Consulate General in Sapporo:+81-11-513-5335
Consular Protection and Assistance Hotline of the Consulate General in Nagasaki:+81-95-849-3311
Consular Protection and Assistance Hotline of the Consulate General in Nagoya:+81-52-932-1036
Consular Protection and Assistance Hotline of the Consulate General in Niigata:+81-25-228-8888