More than 840 earthquakes have been recorded near the Tokara Islands off Kagoshima Prefecture since seismic activity intensified on June 21. On the morning of July 2, a magnitude 5.1 quake struck near Akusekijima, registering a lower-5 on the Japanese intensity scale.
By 5 a.m. that day, 19 tremors of magnitude 1 or higher had been observed in just a few hours. Since June 21, the region has experienced two lower-5 earthquakes, 13 intensity-4 quakes, and dozens more in the intensity-1 to -3 range. While no tsunami has been reported, the frequency and strength of the tremors are significantly above past levels.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the quakes are occurring within the landward tectonic plate, consistent with past seismic patterns in the area. However, this latest surge surpasses previous swarms in both duration and number. The agency urges residents to remain alert for further strong tremors and continue staying in safe locations. Source: NHK
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