6.9 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Japan
On Tuesday, November 22, 2016, a 6.9 magnitude Earthquake hit just before 6:00 a.m. in Japan. The quake hit right off the coast of Japan, 37 kilometers east of southeast Namie, at a depth of 11.4 kilometers. This earthquake hit close to the epicenter of the 2011 quake, which is considered one of the worst earthquakes to hit Japan. Unlike the 2011 quake, this one didn’t kill or injure anyone and didn’t meltdown the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, which was a gigantic worry for Japanese officials. Originally the earthquake was at a magnitude of 7.3 until U.S Geological Survey measured the quake as a 6.9 magnitude earthquake.
Japan was also worried about tsunamis like the ones caused by the earthquake in 2011. Almost immediately after this recent quake hit, officials sent out tsunami warnings. Even NHK, Japan’s national broadcasting system, advised a public evacuation to steer clear of high waves. The warning issued possible waves reaching one to three meters (three to ten feet). NHK warned the public to stay far from waves, even if they appeared low. Some tsunamis were spotted off the coast of Japan, with the first waves being spotted along the coast of Lwaki-shi in Fukushima Prefecture.
Even though earthquakes are common in Japan, the country takes them seriously. Officials make sure citizens evacuate in a calm and orderly fashion, so no one gets injured or forgotten in all the chaos. American businessman, Jonathan Swanson, was staying at a hotel during this quake. Doors started to swing on cabinets and sliding doors started to move. “Guests appeared “calm” as staffers checked in on everyone. They seemed like real pros about this,” he said. “Everyone [was] very calm and collected.”
