At 21:26 JST (alternatively 9:26 PM JST or 5:26 AM PST) on Thursday, April 14, 2016, southern Japan (the region immediately surrounding the city of Kumamoto, specifically) was struck by the destructive force of a magnitude 6.4 earthquake. At least nine individuals have been killed along with a reported count of at least 250 individuals being injured, reports the BBC.
As if the initial quake was not destructive enough, Kumamoto and its surroundings were unfortunate enough to suffer two just-as-powerful aftershocks, with a magnitude 5.7 aftershock occurring just 40 minutes following the initial quake, and with a magnitude 6.4 aftershock occurring just past 00:00 (12:00 AM) JST.
The quakes proved devastating enough to level entire houses as well as cause decent amounts of damage to high-rises in the downtown areas of Kumamoto. In addition to the property destruction, both the water and electricity supplies to the city have been completely cut off as a result of the quakes.
Despite the destruction caused, the residents in and around Kumamoto have good reason to breath a sigh of relief. Contrary to the events of 2011, when a deadly magnitude 9 quake struck the country and caused a tsunami that led to the Fukushima nuclear disaster, no tsunami warning was issued following Thursday's events. In addition, nuclear reactors on the island are reported to not have been affected, with the Sendai reactors on Kyushu operating as normal while the three Genkai reactors already closed for routine inspection, reports the BBC.
Many thoughts go out to the people of the city of Kumamoto and its surroundings as they recover from this unfortunate disaster.
As if the initial quake was not destructive enough, Kumamoto and its surroundings were unfortunate enough to suffer two just-as-powerful aftershocks, with a magnitude 5.7 aftershock occurring just 40 minutes following the initial quake, and with a magnitude 6.4 aftershock occurring just past 00:00 (12:00 AM) JST.
The quakes proved devastating enough to level entire houses as well as cause decent amounts of damage to high-rises in the downtown areas of Kumamoto. In addition to the property destruction, both the water and electricity supplies to the city have been completely cut off as a result of the quakes.
Despite the destruction caused, the residents in and around Kumamoto have good reason to breath a sigh of relief. Contrary to the events of 2011, when a deadly magnitude 9 quake struck the country and caused a tsunami that led to the Fukushima nuclear disaster, no tsunami warning was issued following Thursday's events. In addition, nuclear reactors on the island are reported to not have been affected, with the Sendai reactors on Kyushu operating as normal while the three Genkai reactors already closed for routine inspection, reports the BBC.
Many thoughts go out to the people of the city of Kumamoto and its surroundings as they recover from this unfortunate disaster.