Following the tremor, tsunami warnings were issued for Miyazaki Prefecture and the nearby Kochi Prefecture, the Associated Press (AP) reported.
The quake occurred at 9:19 pm local time, and authorities were closely monitoring the situation as the extent of the damage remained uncertain.
AP citing, public broadcaster NHK, reported that a tsunami, initially estimated to reach up to 1 meter (3.2 feet) in height, made landfall within 30 minutes of the tremor. However, waters measured at Miyazaki Port were recorded at a lower height of 20 centimeters (0.7 feet).
Residents in low-lying areas, particularly in Kochi, were advised to evacuate as a precaution.
The quake originated at a depth of approximately 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) beneath the Earth’s surface and was felt across a wide area of Kyushu. Despite the intensity of the earthquake, there were no immediate reports of major damage or casualties.
NHK’s live footage showed traffic flowing normally and city streets illuminated, indicating that power supplies remained unaffected. Authorities also confirmed that monitoring systems at nearby nuclear facilities detected no irregularities or safety issues.
Japan, situated along the “Ring of Fire”, a seismically active zone characterised by volcanoes and tectonic fault lines encircling the Pacific Ocean, is no stranger to earthquakes, experiencing them frequently due to its geological positioning.
(Edited by : Priyanka Deshpande)
