Seventh Powerful Quake Hits Japan Region

Powerful Earthquake measuring up to 7.2 Mw Strikes  RYUKYU ISLANDS, JAPAN

Background:

• 6th Strong Quake Strikes Near Ryukyu Isles, Japan
• 6 to 8 more strong EQs may yet strike region
• 4th Powerful Quake Strikes Japan Region
• Earthquake Forecast: Tokyo, Japan

A powerful earthquake measuring up to 7.2 Mw occurred in Ryukyu Islands, Japan, about 280 km (175 miles) SSW of Kagoshima, Kyushu, at a depth of 35 km (21.7 miles), on Friday, October 30, 2009 at 07:03 UTC.

Referring to an earlier forecast, FEWW Moderators believe an additional series of 6 – 7 quakes measuring ≥ 6.0 Mw could strike Japan region in the coming weeks.

FEWW Moderators had previously anticipated more powerful earthquakes in the region, including as many as 10 additional magnitude 6+ quakes to strike the region in the coming weeks.

A moderate earthquake measuring up to 5.3 Mw struck near 29.165°N, 130.061°Eclose to the latest event on Sunday, October 25, 2009 at 06:17 UTC at a depth of about 47.5 km (29.5 miles).

10-degree Map Centered at 30°N,130°E

Earthquake Location Map. Source: USGS/EHP. Map enhanced by FEWW.

Earthquake Details:

• Reported Magnitude: 6.9 [Maximum quake magnitude estimated by FEWW at 7.2 Mw]

• Date-Time:
  • Friday, October 30, 2009 at 07:03:39 UTC
  • Friday, October 30, 2009 at 04:03:39 PM at epicenter
• Location: 29.154°N, 129.903°E
• Depth:  35 km (21.7 miles)
• Region:  RYUKYU ISLANDS, JAPAN
• Distances:
  • 280 km (175 miles) SSW of Kagoshima, Kyushu, Japan
  • 340 km (210 miles) SSW of Miyazaki, Kyushu, Japan
  • 400 km (245 miles) NNE of Naha, Okinawa, Japan
  • 1170 km (730 miles) SW of TOKYO, Japan
• Location Uncertainty:  horizontal +/- 5.5 km (3.4 miles)
• Source: USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
• Event ID: us2009njal

Seismic Hazard Map [USGS]

Major Tectonic Boundaries: Subduction Zones -purple, Ridges -red and Transform Faults -green

Historic Seismicity [Source: USGS?EHP]

Major Tectonic Boundaries: Subduction Zones -purple, Ridges -red and Transform Faults -green

Related Links:

• Earthquakes [Links Page]
• Earthquake Forecast: Tokyo, Japan

• 6th Strong Quake Strikes Near Ryukyu Isles, Japan

• 6 to 8 more EQs may yet strike region

• Strong Quake Strikes Near Shizuoka, Japan
• 5th Strong Quake Strikes Japan Region
• 4th Powerful Quake Strikes Japan Region
• 3rd Powerful Quake in 3 Days Strikes Japan Region
• Strong Quake Strikes Near Shizuoka, Japan [August 10, 2009]
• Powerful Earthquake Strikes Near Izu Islands, Japan [August 9, 2009]
• M 6.4 Quake Strikes SW Ryukkyu Isls, Japan [August 5, 2009]

• Magnitude 6.3 quake strikes Taiwan region

Magnitude 6.2 Quake Strikes Kyushu, Japan

Strong 6.2 Mw quake strikes off the south-western tip of the Island of Kyushu, Japan

The earthquake, reported by various seismic monitoring centers, occurred on Thursday, September 03, 2009 at 13:26 UTC at a depth of about 160 km some 70 km SW of Kagoshima, Kyushu, Japan.

The 6th strong quake to strike Japan Region in the past several weeks, this event was consistent with FEWW earlier forecast. On August 17, FEWW Moderators  forecast a series of  powerful earthquakes in the region and said as many as 10 additional magnitude 6+ quakes could yet strike the region in coming weeks.

Summary of this earthquake:

GFZ Potsdam – Earthquake Bulletin
Region:     Kyushu, Japan
Time:     2009-09-03 13:26:18.4 UTC
Magnitude:     6.2
Epicenter:     130.19°E   31.18°N
Depth:     166 km

© Helmholtz-Zentrum Potsdam Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum – GFZ

JMA Map shows the intensity of th equake as recorded by various stations throughout the Islands of Kyushu and Honshu, Japan. Image may be subject to copyright.

Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported NO tsunami caused by  this quake.

There was no report of any casualties at the time of posting.

10-degree Map Centered at 30°N,130°E

Earthquake Location Map. Source: USGS/EHP. Enhanced by FEWW.

Seismic Hazard Map [Source: USGS]

Major Tectonic Boundaries: Subduction Zones -purple, Ridges -red and Transform Faults -green

Historic Seismicity [Mag 7+ EQs since 1900] – USGS

Major Tectonic Boundaries: Subduction Zones -purple, Ridges -red and Transform Faults -green

Related Links

• 5th Strong Quake Strikes Japan Region
• 4th Powerful Quake Strikes Japan Region
• 3rd Powerful Quake in 3 Days Strikes Japan Region
• Strong Quake Strikes Near Shizuoka, Japan

• Strong Quake Strikes Near Shizuoka, Japan
• Powerful Earthquake Strikes Near Izu Islands, Japan
• Earthquakes [Links Page]
• Earthquake Forecast: Tokyo, Japan
• M 6.4 Quake Strikes SW Ryukkyu Isls, Japan
• Magnitude 6.3 quake strikes Taiwan region