A 5.5 magnitude earthquake hits Japan

A 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck off Aomori Prefecture in northern Japan today.

The Japanese Meteorological Agency reported that the earthquake occurred off the coast of Aomori on the Pacific Ocean at a depth of 50 kilometers, indicating that no warning was issued of a tsunami, nor were there any reports of material damage or human casualties.

Escalating frequency of earthquakes

Since the beginning of the year 2025, it has witnessed World Earthquakes are daily, and what is striking is the intensity of these tremors and the diversity of their locations, as the world witnesses strong strikes exceeding 6 degrees on the Richter scale in Asia, South America, and the Mediterranean.

Different types of earthquakes

Earthquakes are classified based on their causes into several types, the most prominent of which are:
1. Tectonic earthquakes: They occur as a result of the movement of tectonic plates and their sliding along faults.
2. Volcanic earthquakes: They result from volcanic activity, where the movement of magma generates vibrations.
3. Induced earthquakes: resulting from human activities such as building dams or extracting natural resources.
Studies indicate that the number of Large earthquakes “magnitude 7 and above” have remained relatively constant over the decades. However, the increase in modern media and technology has contributed to increasing awareness and media coverage of earthquakes when they occur.
As for less powerful earthquakes, there is a noticeable increase in them and their causesHumanitarian activity relatedto road building, construction and exploratory blasting, oil and gas extraction, etc.