“Prepare for Shaking of Seismic Intensity 5-Upper” – Earthquake of Intensity 5-Lower Observed in Toshima Village, Kagoshima Prefecture
At around 3:30 PM today, July 2nd, an earthquake with a seismic intensity of 5-lower struck Toshima Village in Kagoshima Prefecture. In response, the Japan Meteorological Agency held an urgent press conference, calling on residents to “prepare for the possibility of an earthquake reaching a seismic intensity of around 5-upper in the near future.”
Earthquake Details and Ongoing Seismic Activity
According to the Meteorological Agency, the earthquake occurred at approximately 3:26 PM, with its epicenter located near the Tokara Islands. Toshima Village, part of Kagoshima Prefecture, experienced shaking at an intensity of 5-lower.
This region has been rattled by intense seismic activity since June 21st. As of 4:00 PM today, the agency reported a staggering 911 earthquakes with an intensity of 1 or higher. This swarm of earthquakes near the Tokara Islands shows no clear signs of stopping, and experts are still unable to pinpoint the underlying cause or predict when the activity might subside.
A Call for Preparedness
The Meteorological Agency stressed the importance of staying vigilant, noting, “In the past, earthquakes with a seismic intensity of 5-upper have occurred in this area. We urge people to be ready for similar shaking to happen again.”
The Japanese seismic intensity scale measures how strongly an earthquake is felt at specific locations, ranging from 0 (imperceptible) to 7 (devastating). An intensity of 5-lower can cause objects to fall and make standing difficult, while 5-upper intensifies these effects, posing greater risks.
Stay informed as the situation develops, and take necessary precautions if you’re in or near the affected region.