There is fear of increased seismic risk in the Nankai Trench
A magnitude 6.9 earthquake has hit southwestern Japan, prompting a tsunami warning in Miyazaki and Kochi prefectures. The National Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported that the quake occurred at 9.19pm (1.19pm in Italy), and at the moment no anomaly has been confirmed at the nuclear plant in Ehime prefecture. Flights at Miyazaki Airport have been temporarily suspended.
The Japanese Meteorological Agency JMA said it was investigating whether the 6.9 magnitude earthquake in southwestern Japan was linked to a further increase in the risk of a violent earthquake in the Nankai Trench, the area that extends about 900 meters above sea level. kilometers off the coast of the archipelago and at the origin of the most devastating earthquakes of recent centuries. The authorities have ordered the population to stay well away from the shore. According to Japanese government estimates, there is a 70-80% chance that a magnitude 8-9 earthquake will occur along the trench within the next 30 years, with a death toll that could exceed 320,000.
