More than 900 earthquakes have struck Japan’s remote Tokara island chain in just two weeks, alarming residents and raising concerns about a possible larger quake, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).
The seismic activity began around June 21 and has shown no clear signs of stopping. “Seismic activity has been very active in the seas around the Tokara island chain,” said Ayataka Ebita, director of the agency’s earthquake and tsunami observation division, during an emergency press briefing. On Wednesday afternoon, a magnitude 5.5 quake was registered in the area.
As of 4:00pm that day, over 900 quakes had been recorded. Residents have been urged to stay alert and prepare for possible evacuation, as stronger tremors cannot be ruled out.
The JMA reported that all quakes measured at least 1 on Japan’s 7-point seismic intensity scale. A lower 5 level is considered strong enough to make people seek physical support during shaking.
On June 23 alone, 183 quakes were recorded. Though the daily number briefly dropped, it rose again to 98 on June 29 and 62 on June 30.
Residents are visibly shaken. “It feels like it’s always shaking,” said one local. Another resident expressed fear for their children’s safety, considering evacuation.
Tokara village, part of Kagoshima Prefecture, consists of 12 islands, seven of which are inhabited by around 700 people.
The region’s complex undersea topography allows pressure to build beneath the seabed, triggering frequent quakes.
This is not the first time such seismic swarms have occurred. In September 2023, the Tokara Islands experienced 346 earthquakes over a short period.
Japan lies at the convergence of four major tectonic plates, making it one of the most seismically active nations in the world.
On average, the country experiences 1,500 quakes annually, accounting for about 18% of global seismic activity.
Amid growing concern, Japan’s government recently emphasized the need to prepare for a potential “megaquake” along the Nankai Trough, warning it could cause up to 298,000 deaths and $2 trillion in damage if it strikes.
