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Original article: Terremoto 7,5 sacude Japón y pone al país bajo alerta de tsunami: SHOA descarta impacto en Chile

A magnitude 7.5 earthquake shook northeastern Japan on Monday at a depth of 10 kilometers, prompting local authorities to issue a tsunami alert, while the Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service of the Navy (SHOA) ruled out any impact on the coasts of Chile.

The quake occurred at 16:53 local time (3:53 AM Chilean time) off the coast of Sanriku, with its epicenter located in the Pacific Ocean, as reported by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). Residents were urged to stay away from the coastal areas in parts of Iwate Prefecture and Hokkaido, where tsunami waves of up to 3 meters were expected.

Several port cities, including Otsuchi and Kamaishi, issued mandatory evacuation orders for thousands of residents. It is important to note that these areas experienced devastating damage during the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Two hours after the seismic event, sensors detected tsunami waves measuring 80 centimeters. Warnings remain in place for the northern tip of Honshu Island and the northern region of Hokkaido.

Minoru Kihara, the government spokesperson, reported at a press conference that there are currently no immediate reports of fatalities or significant damages, according to Reuters. However, the high-speed train services are disrupted, and various highways have been closed for safety reasons.

Warnings of Potential Strong Aftershocks

The earthquake reached a level 5 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale, a level sufficient to topple concrete block walls and hinder pedestrian movement. The Japan Meteorological Agency warned that a 3-meter tsunami could cause damage in low-lying areas by flooding buildings and sweeping away anyone caught in its currents.

According to the agency, significant aftershocks could occur in the coming days and weeks.

Status of Nuclear Plants

Electric companies Tohoku and Hokkaido Electric Power confirmed that there are no anomalies at their nuclear facilities. Currently, the plants in the affected area are inactive, which decreases the risk of a radiological crisis.

Japan experiences approximately 20% of the world’s earthquakes with a magnitude greater than 6.0, similar to the 2011 disaster that caused core meltdowns at the Fukushima nuclear plant.

The country is located on the Ring of Fire, with tremors occurring at least every five minutes, prompting rescue teams to maintain constant monitoring.

SHOA Confirms No Tsunami Risk for Chile

The Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service of the Navy (SHOA) ruled out any tsunami risk for Chile, reassuring the public following the earthquake in Japan.

Through a message on its social media, the National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (Senapred) stated that, “SHOA indicates that the quake, measuring 7.6 at 170 km southeast of Hachinohe, Japan, does not meet the necessary conditions to generate a tsunami on the coasts of Chile.”

La entrada 7.5 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Japan, Tsunami Warning Issued; SHOA Confirms No Threat to Chile se publicó primero en El Ciudadano.