Strong Earthquakes Shake Area Near Japanese Region Hit by January Disaster, No Tsunami Reported
Early Monday, strong earthquakes struck Japan’s north-central Ishikawa region, which experienced a fatal quake on January 1. Authorities confirmed there was no tsunami threat.
The Japan Meteorological Agency reported a magnitude 5.9 quake at the northern tip of the Noto Peninsula, followed by a magnitude 4.8 tremor minutes later. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. Shinkansen super-express trains and other rail services were temporarily halted for safety inspections but resumed operations shortly after, as per West Japan Railway Co.
The Nuclear Regulation Authority found no abnormalities at two nearby nuclear power plants. The Shika plant on the Noto Peninsula sustained minor damage, but officials assured that the cooling functions of its two reactors were unaffected. Hokuriku Electric Power Co. reported no power outages.
The tremors have reignited fears among residents still recovering from the New Year’s quake. NHK public television showed people emerging from their homes and temporary shelters to inspect for new damage. In Wajima City, one of the areas hardest hit by the January quake, an inn operator described how he took cover under a desk when the first quake struck Monday. Although nothing was damaged, the incident reminded him of January’s disaster and heightened concerns about potential future quakes.
The January 1 quake, with a magnitude of 7.6, resulted in 241 deaths on the Noto Peninsula. Damage from that event remains, and many residents have evacuated the area.
