The key facts
- A magnitude 5.7 earthquake occurred on November 8 off the western part of Shizuoka Prefecture, with the hypocenter at a depth of about 40 km
- At least 22 people were injured, Shinkansen services experienced disruptions, and trains temporarily reduced speed
- There was no tsunami threat; the JMA allows for strong aftershocks within a week
Earthquake and casualties
Early in the morning on November 8, a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck central Japan. The epicenter was located in the western part of Shizuoka Prefecture, with the hypocenter at a depth of about 40 km (41 km according to the JMA), and the maximum shaking intensity reached upper 5 on the Japanese scale. The strongest shaking was recorded in the city of Chita in Aichi Prefecture; the tremors were felt from the Kanto region to Chugoku and Shikoku, including Hamamatsu, Kyoto, Nara, and Yamanashi and Gifu prefectures. There was no tsunami threat. This was reported by the Japan Meteorological Agency, whose data are cited by Gazeta.Ru and Life.ru.
Impact on transport and residents
According to the agency Kyodo, more than 20 people suffered bruises and abrasions as a result of the tremors; the Associated Press speaks of at least 22 injured. The tremors shattered store windows, with glass fragments ending up on the streets; in a bookstore, books fell from the shelves; some of the injured fell down stairs while leaving buildings. Rail services, including Shinkansen bullet trains, experienced disruptions: in the affected areas, trains temporarily reduced speed as a safety precaution.
Assessments and JMA warning
Magnitude estimates differ: the Japanese agency puts it at 5.7, while the United States Geological Survey, according to AP, gives 5.5. The JMA warned of the possibility of strong aftershocks within a week: according to the agency's statistics, in 10–20% of cases, tremors of comparable strength occur after a powerful earthquake; the greatest caution is recommended over the next two to three days. The earthquake occurred within the presumed source zone of the Nankai Trough, however the JMA found no signs of unusual changes in the coupling of tectonic plates that would indicate an increased probability of a mega-earthquake.
Context
This is already the second notable earthquake in Japan this week: on November 1, a magnitude 6.1 tremor was recorded off the southeastern coast of Mie Prefecture with a hypocenter at a depth of about 350 km; its maximum intensity, as Life.ru noted, was registered roughly 600 km from the epicenter — in Fukushima Prefecture. The publications do not discuss any connection between these events.
