
7.1 magnitude earthquake shakes Japan, scientists warn bigger one to come
By Lauren Taylor (Anchor), Evan Hummel (Producer), Jake Maslo (Video Editor)
This report was created with support from enhanced software.
A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck off of the southern coast of Japan on Thursday, Aug. 8, prompting tsunami worries and concerns a larger quake could happen in the future. Scientists disclosed that after this most recent earthquake, there is a 70%-80% chance of a magnitude 8 or 9 earthquake striking the region within the next 30 years.
Media Landscape
See how news outlets across the political spectrum are covering this story. Learn moreBias Distribution
Left
Right
Untracked Bias
Japan sits on the infamous Pacific “Ring of Fire” and experiences around 1,500 earthquakes a year. The country accounts for around 20% of all global earthquakes.
The most recent earthquake on Thursday triggered tsunami warnings that have since been rescinded. Fears over tsunamis have grown since the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011. However, Japanese government officials said that all 12 nuclear reactors in the area remain safe for now.

Download the SAN app today to stay up-to-date with Unbiased. Straight Facts™.
Point phone camera here
The government is reportedly in the process of establishing a task force to coordinate disaster response efforts. In one neighborhood concrete walls were reportedly destroyed and a wooden home was damaged. However, government officials said that initial findings suggest that infrastructure is holding up relatively well to the earthquake.
There were no initial reports of injuries from the earthquake.
Japan experienced a much more disastrous earthquake on Jan 1. That earthquake happened in Japan’s north-central region and killed more than 240 people.
[LAUREN TAYLOR]
A POWERFUL MAGNITUDE 7.1 EARTHQUAKE ROCKED THE SOUTHERN COAST OF JAPAN THURSDAY– SPARKING TSUNAMI WORRIES AND CONCERNS A LARGER ONE COULD BE ON THE HORIZON.
SCIENTISTS SAY THERE IS A 70 TO 80 PERCENT CHANCE OF A MAGNITUDE 8 OR 9 EARTHQUAKE HITTING THE REGION WITHIN 30 YEARS.
JAPAN, WHICH SITS ON THE INFAMOUS PACIFIC “RING OF FIRE,” EXPERIENCES AROUND 15-HUNDRED JOLTS A YEAR — 20 PERCENT OF ALL EARTHQUAKES ON THE GLOBE.
THIS MOST RECENT QUAKE TRIGGERED TSUNAMI WARNINGS THAT HAVE SINCE BEEN REMOVED.
FEARS OVER TSUNAMIS HAVE GROWN IN RECENT YEARS AFTER THE FUKUSHIMA NUCLEAR DISASTER.
BUT OFFICIALS SAY ALL 12 NUCLEAR REACTORS IN THE AREA REMAIN SAFE FOR NOW.
THE GOVERNMENT IS IN THE PROCESS OF ESTABLISHING A TASK FORCE TO COORDINATE DISASTER RESPONSE EFFORTS.
IN ONE NEIGHBORHOOD CONCRETE WALLS COLLAPSED AND A HOME WAS DAMAGED.
HOWEVER, OFFICIALS SAY INITIAL FINDINGS REVEAL INFRASTRUCTURE IS HOLDING UP RELATIVELY WELL.
THERE WERE NO IMMEDIATE REPORTS OF INJURIES.
FOR MORE ON UPDATES ON THIS STORY— DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP OR VISIT SAN-DOT-COM.
Media Landscape
See how news outlets across the political spectrum are covering this story. Learn moreBias Distribution
Left
Right
Untracked Bias
Straight to your inbox.
By entering your email, you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge the Privacy Policy.
MOST POPULAR
-
Morgan County Sheriff's Office
FBI stops Indiana school shooting planned for Valentine’s Day
Watch 2:1511 hrs ago -
Getty Images
US will provide Ukraine with more military aid in exchange for its rare earths
Watch 1:2915 hrs ago -
Getty Images
GOP drafts impeachment articles against federal judges blocking Trump orders
Watch 2:5417 hrs ago -
Getty Images
NYC Mayor considered switching to Republican Party for mayoral run: Report
Watch 2:1621 hrs ago