21-07-2025
Japan's Tokara island chain marks 1 month since quake swarm began
Monday marks one month since seismic activity intensified in the sea around the Tokara island chain in southwestern Japan, with nearly 2,200 tremors perceptible to people so far recorded.
A series of earthquakes began occurring near the islands of Akusekijima and Kodakarajima of the Tokara island chain on June 21.
A quake measuring an intensity of lower 6 on the Japanese scale of 0 to 7 hit Akusekijima Island on July 3. Others with intensities of upper 5 and lower 5 have been recorded three times each on the island.
Kodakarajima Island also experienced a quake with an intensity of lower 5.
As of 5 a.m. on Monday, there had been 2,196 quakes with an intensity of at least 1 in the sea near the Tokara island chain.
The sea off the island chain went through a series of earthquakes in 2021 and again in 2023. But the current swarm has been far larger in terms of the number of jolts.
The Japan Meteorological Agency is urging residents to stay alert for the time being for possible quakes with intensities of up to lower 6.
