(Central News Agency reporter Dai Yazhen, Tokyo, 16th) An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.5 occurred in the Kanto region of Japan tonight, causing strong shaking with a maximum magnitude of 5 in Gunma and Saitama prefectures. Although no major disasters have been reported and there is no risk of tsunami, experts pointed out that this earthquake once again showed that the Kanto region is located in one of the most complex and active earthquake-prone zones in Japan.
NHK reported that Shinichi Sakai, a professor at the Institute of Seismology of the University of Tokyo, said that the area from southern Ibaraki Prefecture to northeastern Kantoku is an area with quite frequent seismic activity in Japan. This area is located where the Pacific Plate and the Philippine Sea Plate are subducted beneath the Japanese archipelago. The underground structure is extremely complex and has long been an area where earthquakes have occurred intensively.
Sakai pointed out that similar earthquakes are not uncommon in the local area, and earthquakes around magnitude 5 have occurred many times in the past. Judging from past experience, in most cases the activity will gradually weaken after the main earthquake.
Japan is located in the Pacific Rim of Volcanoes and Seismic Belt, and the Kanto region is one of the few areas in the country that is affected by the interaction of multiple plates at the same time. There are four major plates surrounding Japan, including the Pacific Plate, the Philippine Sea Plate, the North American Plate, and the Eurasian Plate. The area beneath the metropolitan area is at the junction of multiple plates. Therefore, not only are earthquakes frequent, but it is also considered an important observation area for possible large earthquakes in the future.
The southern part of Ibaraki Prefecture, where the epicenter of this earthquake is located, is located on the northeast side of the Kanto Plain. Since the focal depth of the earthquake is about 50 kilometers, seismic waves can spread to a wide area. Therefore, in addition to Gunma and Saitama, which experienced earthquake intensity 5 weak, obvious shaking was also generally felt in Ibaraki, Tochigi, Tokyo, Kanagawa and other places. The earthquake was felt in Tohoku, Tokai and even parts of Kansai.
Although no major disaster reports have been received yet, an earthquake with a magnitude of 5 is enough to cause furniture toppling, tableware falling from cupboards, cracks on roads, falling rocks, or slope collapse. Sakai reminded that since the strong earthquake occurred at night, the public must still be alert, pay attention to whether there are any aftershocks, and continue to pay attention to official disaster prevention information.
After the earthquake, JR East temporarily suspended operations on some sections of the Joetsu Shinkansen and Hokuriku Shinkansen for equipment inspections based on safety considerations; the Tohoku Shinkansen also temporarily suspended operations. However, after the safety of the facilities was confirmed, the routes have gradually resumed operation.
As of 9 p.m., relevant units in Gunma Prefecture, Saitama Prefecture and Tokyo Metropolitan Government stated that they had not received any reports of major disasters or casualties. (Editor: Chen Chenggong) 1150616
