Tuesday morning, a strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.2 hit the eastern side of Shimane Prefecture, sending tremors throughout a great area of Western Japan. The earthquake was recorded at 10:18 a.m. local time, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said.
Epicenter and Intensity
The JMA situated the epicenter about 16 kilometers southeast of Matsue, the prefectural capital. The quake's origin was at a very shallow depth of only 10 kilometers. As the quake hit the ground very near the surface, localized shaking was very intense. The highest seismic intensity recorded was a 5-upper on the Japanese shindo scale of 7. This level of shaking was felt in Sakaiminato and neighboring areas such as Tottori and Shimane prefectures. At this intensity, people are rarely able to sustain their standing without holding onto something — unattached furniture moves and falls easily.
While around the epicenter to the immediate field, the earthquake was felt even more in bordering areas. Prefectures of Okayama and Hiroshima experienced relatively even lower intensity, while people in high-rise buildings as distant as Osaka reported the rippling of the ground for several seconds.
Current Damage and Tsunami Assessment
Shortly after the earthquake shook the land, the JMA announced that no tsunami caused by this inland event posed a threat. Early reports by local police and firemen indicate that no large-scale catastrophic damage or mass casualties have been reported. But utility companies are at present searching for signs of gas leaks, water pipe ruptures, or power outages in specific areas. Railway operators such as West Japan Railway (JR West) suspended service temporarily on some lines in Shimane and Tottori to work on safety on tracks.
Continuing Precautions and Following Aftershocks
The area is already in the grip of a series of aftershocks, officials say that might last for several days. Seismologists warned that earthquakes of this type frequently register their second major tremor within the first 24 to 72 hours.
“We encourage all residents to remain calm but watchful,” a spokesperson for the Shimane Prefectural Government said. “Whenever possible, please stay inside, minimize the impact of large pieces of clutter and move away from older stone walls or cliffsides that may have been compromised by the initial shock.”
As of Tuesday afternoon, emergency response teams remained on high alert. To keep up with the road closures and safety instructions, residents are advised to follow NHK and local emergency broadcast systems in real time.
