The Tokara Islands earthquake evacuation escalated on Sunday as quakes continued to shake the remote island chain in southwestern Japan. More residents left Akuseki and Kodakara islands, boarding a ferry to Kyushu.
According to local officials, 46 islanders evacuated early Sunday morning. They followed 13 others from Akuseki who left on Friday. Despite this, about 20 people remain on Akuseki and 40 on Kodakara.
Since June 21, the Tokara region has experienced over 1,500 felt tremors. The evacuation began after a powerful magnitude 5.5 quake struck last Thursday. That quake registered a lower 6 on Japan’s seismic intensity scale, which goes up to 7.
On Sunday afternoon, two more significant tremors hit the area. Both measured 4.9 and 5.5 in magnitude and registered upper 5 on the seismic scale. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported that no tsunami warnings were issued. Still, an upper 5 level makes walking difficult for many people.
Just after midnight, another quake shook Akuseki Island. It had a preliminary magnitude of 4.9 and measured a lower 5 on the intensity scale, according to the JMA.
Experts have warned that more quakes with intensities of lower 6 could strike in the coming days. Consequently, the Tokara Islands earthquake evacuation may continue or even expand.
The Tokara Islands lie between Yakushima and Amami-Oshima and sit on the Ryukyu Trench. Here, the Philippine Sea Plate subducts beneath the Eurasian Plate, making the region naturally earthquake-prone.
However, scientists say the current seismic activity is unusual. Typically, quake swarms in the Tokara chain subside within about 10 days. This extended swarm has raised new concerns among seismologists.
In response, authorities are urging residents to stay alert and consider further evacuation if tremors intensify.
Clearly, the Tokara Islands earthquake evacuation has become a critical effort to protect lives in this seismically volatile region.
