TOKYO, SEPT 24 – A small tsunami wave made landfall on a remote Japanese island this morning after an earthquake that may have been triggered by volcanic activity.
The offshore quake was not felt and the tsunami warning was lifted about three hours later. No damage or injuries were reported.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has advised that waves of up to 1 meter above high tide are possible on the coast of the Izu and Ogasawara island chains after a 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck off the Izu Islands. The United States Geological Survey has measured the strength of the earthquake at magnitude 5.6.
About 21,500 people live on the islands in the Izu group and about 2,500 on the Ogasawara Islands.
JMA said a tsunami about 50 centimeters high was detected in Yaene district on Hachijo Island about 30 minutes after the quake. Smaller waves were detected on three other islands – Kozushima, Miyakejima and Izu Oshima.
The offshore earthquake occurred about 180 kilometers south of Hachijo island, which is about 300 kilometers south of Tokyo.
Meanwhile, residents in Hachijo said they did not feel the tremors and only listened to tsunami warnings, public television said Japan’s NHK.
Fumihiko Imamura, a Tohoku University seismologist, said the tsunami was believed to be related to underwater volcanic activity. He urged coastal residents to be vigilant during the implementation of the advisory. – AP
