Tsunami warning in Japan after a 6.9 magnitude earthquake
A 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck southwest Japan late Monday, according to the US Geological Survey, prompting local authorities to issue a tsunami warning.
The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a warning of tsunami waves reaching a height of one meter after the earthquake struck off Miyazaki Prefecture in the Kyushu region at around 21:19.
How are tsunamis formed?
Tsunami waves are formed when an earthquake, landslide, or volcanic eruption occurs under the sea. The event causes vertical movement of the sea floor, pushing water upwards to spread away from the center of the event in the form of circular waves.
Tsunami waves travel very quickly, up to 800 kilometers per hour, however, they rise relatively slowly, until they reach the coast.
When tsunami waves reach the coast, they can rise to great heights, up to 100 metres, and tsunami waves can cause widespread damage, including floods, landslides and other disasters.
Types of tsunami waves
There are 3 main types of tsunamis:
– Seismicity: These waves are caused by an earthquake under the sea.
– Falling: These waves are caused by an undersea landslide.
– Volcanic: These waves are caused by an undersea volcanic eruption.
Tsunamis can occur anywhere in the world, but most commonly occur in oceanic areas with high seismic or volcanic activity.
Tsunami warning systems can be used to help warn people about the occurrence of these waves, as these warning systems can use seismic measurements or other sensors to detect waves and issue warnings.
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