24-9-2024 (TOKYO) A small tsunami reached Japan’s remote Izu islands on Tuesday, following a 5.9 magnitude earthquake that struck near an uninhabited island further south in the Pacific Ocean. The event has put coastal communities on alert, though no immediate damage has been reported.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) confirmed that a tsunami measuring 50cm in height made landfall on Hachijo island, one of the Izu group, approximately 40 minutes after the initial seismic event. This modest wave height, while significant enough to warrant concern, falls short of the agency’s earlier warning that residents should prepare for potential waves up to 1m high along the coasts of both the Izu and Ogasawara island chains.
The earthquake’s epicentre was located undersea near the uninhabited Torishima island, situated about 600km south of Tokyo. Despite the considerable distance from major population centres, the tremor’s potential to generate tsunamis prompted swift action from Japanese authorities.
Public broadcaster NHK reported that no damage has been confirmed from either the earthquake or the subsequent tsunami. The absence of major aftershocks since the initial quake has provided some reassurance to local officials and residents alike.
The Izu and Ogasawara island groups, while remote, are home to a combined population of approximately 24,000 residents spread across about a dozen inhabited islands, according to recent data from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, which administers these regions. These island communities, accustomed to the geological instability of the Pacific Ring of Fire, maintain a constant state of preparedness for such events.
Professor Hiroshi Sato, a seismologist at the University of Tokyo, commented on the incident: “While this event was relatively minor, it serves as a crucial reminder of the ever-present tsunami risk in this region. The quick response and accurate forecasting by the JMA demonstrate the effectiveness of Japan’s early warning systems.”
The event has reignited discussions about tsunami preparedness in Japan’s outlying islands. Local authorities are using this incident as an opportunity to review and potentially enhance evacuation procedures and public awareness campaigns.
Yuki Tanaka, a resident of Hachijo island, described the experience: “We’re used to earthquake warnings, but the prospect of a tsunami always puts us on edge. Thankfully, this time it was small, but we know we always need to be ready.”
