Japan Issues Earthquake Advisory After Magnitude 7.7 Tremor
Much of Japan is under an seismic advisory after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake Monday. Scientists warn it could be a prelude to something even bigger.
Japan Issues Earthquake Advisory After Magnitude 7.7 Quake
REPORTER:
Waves crash in northern Japan after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake Monday. In the hours after the tremor, tsunami waves reached 80cm in some places—with warnings of crests up to 3 meters high.
REPORTER:
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has offered his country’s support. But this time, Japan’s engineering has again protected the country.
REPORTER:
Still, Japan is not yet in the clear. Its meteorological agency says past data hints an even bigger earthquake could be on the way—magnitude 8 or bigger. There’s a weeklong earthquake advisory in place for these areas.
Masuya Yugo (JAPAN CABINET OFFICE’S DISASTER MANAGEMENT DIVISION):
Based on statistical data from earthquakes that have occurred worldwide to date, this advisory indicates that there is now roughly a 1% chance that a large-scale earthquake of magnitude 8.0 or greater could occur within the next week.
REPORTER:
But with disasters like the massive earthquake and tsunami in 2011 in living memory, Japan knows exactly what a worst-case-scenario looks like. The government’s telling residents to get ready now.
Takaichi Sanae (JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER):
As a precaution in response to the aftershock advisory, which is expected to remain in effect for about a week, please ensure you are prepared to evacuate immediately and always carry your emergency supplies with you.
REPORTER:
Disaster prevention experts outside of Japan say this is a wise approach: history may hint at what’s to come, but in the end, no one can predict earthquakes.
Harold Tobin (UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, DIRECTOR, PACIFIC NORTHWEST SEISMIC NETWORK):
I think the right approach is not panicking. But making sure you really have your earthquake plans in place and be vigilant for any kind of warning that would say evacuate or tsunami warning, something like that.
REPORTER:
For now, the country is on alert—just in case the time for the next “big one” has come.
