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2022 Fukushima earthquake

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2022 Fukushima earthquake
福島県沖地震
2022 Fukushima earthquake is located in Japan
2022 Fukushima earthquake
UTC time2022-03-16 14:36:33
USGS-ANSSComCat
Local date16 March 2022
Local time23:36 JST
Magnitude7.4 MJMA
7.3 Mw
Depth60.0 km (37 mi) (JMA)
63.1 km (39 mi) (USGS)
Epicenter37°42′07″N 141°35′13″E / 37.702°N 141.587°E / 37.702; 141.587
TypeReverse
Max. intensityJMA 6+[1]

MMI VIII (Severe)[2]
Tsunami30 cm (0.98 ft)[3]
ForeshocksMw 6.5 [4]
Aftershocksyes, largest is mb 5.5[5]
Casualties4 dead, 97 injured[6]

On 16 March 2022, a strong earthquake struck off the coast of Fukushima, Japan.[1] The earthquake measured 7.4, according to the Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA), while the United States Geological Survey (USGS) gave a slightly lower estimate of 7.3. A 30 cm tsunami was reported immediately after the event. Four people died and 97 were injured.

Tectonic setting

The Japan Trench (in red) is the seafloor expression of the East Japan subduction zone.

The Pacific Plate, made of oceanic lithosphere, subducts beneath the Okhotsk Sea Plate along a convergent boundary located off the east coast of the northern half of Japan.[7] It runs from the Boso Triple Junction and ends near Hokkaido, where it joins the Kuril–Kamchatka Trench. At this location, the Pacific Plate moves approximately westward relative to the North American Plate at a velocity of 70 mm/yr, subducting beneath Japan at the Japan Trench. This subduction zone is capable of producing megathrust earthquakes with magnitudes greater than 8.5, evident in the historical records. It was on the subduction interface where the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami nucleated. That event involved a rupture 220 × 400 km on the subduction zone.[8]

The 2022 earthquake coincidentally occurred near the dates of first anniversaries of the February 2021 Fukushima and March 2021 Miyagi earthquakes. An analysis of the February 2021 earthquake suggest reverse faulting within the downgoing Pacific Plate beneath the subduction interface.[9] Japanese scientists said that the quake ruptured along a 45 km-long, north–south striking fault that dips towards the east.[10]



Earthquake

Designated seismic regions around the East Japan Megathrust.

According to the JMA, the earthquake had a magnitude of MJMA 7.3 and struck at a depth of 60 km. The USGS stated that the quake had an Mw of 7.3 at a depth of 63.1 km.[2] It was preceded by a Mw  6.5 foreshock at a depth of 47.2 km.[4]

The shallow-focus earthquake occurred as a result of reverse faulting at a depth of 60 or 63.1 km within the Pacific Plate. The focal mechanism by the USGS suggest it occurred on a plane striking north northeast–south southwest.[11] The USGS added that earthquakes of reverse mechanism with similar magnitudes are usually the result of rupture on a fault plane measuring 55 km × 30 km in size.[2] A finite fault model by the USGS indicate the main rupture patch was an oval-shaped area situated at a depth of 50–70 km (40 × 20 km2). It produced a maximum slip of 1.9 meters.[12] The earthquake is considered an aftershock of the disastrous 2011 earthquake. The earthquake differs from the 2011 event in that the 2022 quake was sourced from within the subducting Pacific Plate while the 2011 event occurred on the boundary between the Pacific and Okhotsk Sea plates.[13]

It is thought that earthquakes of magnitude 7.0–7.5 are expected to occur off the coast, every 40 years, even after the 2011 earthquake aftershocks sequence have ended.[11] It was estimated prior to the occurrence of the earthquake, that there was a 60–70% chance that a magnitude 7.0–7.5 earthquake could rupture from within the Pacific Plate as it subducts beneath the Tōhoku region. After the 2011 earthquake, the chances of earthquakes of a similar origin have increased.[14]

Intensity

The Japan Meteorological Agency stated that a maximum intensity of 6+ on the JMA seismic intensity scale was recorded in Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, while the USGS reported a maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe). It was felt as far as the cities of Nanao and Aomori.[2][15] The deep focal depth of the event, as well as its magnitude, resulted in strong shaking across the Tōhoku and Kantō regions.[11]

Japan Meteorological Agency seismic intensity Shindo 5 Lower and higher[15]
Intensity Prefecture Location
6+ Miyagi Tome, Zaō
Fukushima Sōma, Kunimi, Minamisōma
6- Miyagi Kurihara, Ōsaki, Wakuya, Natori, Iwanuma, Matsushima, Ishinomaki
Fukushima Nihonmatsu, Tamura, Fukushima, Ten-ei, Naraha, Tomioka, Ōkuma, Futaba, Namie,
5+ Miyagi Shikama, Kami District, Misato, Shiroishi, Murata, Shibata, Marumori
Fukushima Kōriyama, Shirakawa, Sukagawa, Motomiya, Kawamata, Ōtama, Kagamiishi, Izumizaki
Iwate Ichinoseki, Hanamaki, Yahaba, Ōshū
Yamagata Nakayama
5- Miyagi Kesennuma, Minamisanriku, Shichikashuku
Fukushima Yamatsuri, Ishikawa, Hirata, Miharu, Ono
Iwate Morioka, Hanamaki, Kitakami, Tōno, Kanegasaki, Hiraizumi, Fudai, Noda, Ōfunato, Kamaishi, Sumita
Akita Yokote, Daisen
Yamagata Kaminoyama, Tendō, Yamanobe, Kahoku, Sakata, Mogami, Yonezawa, Takahata, Kawanishi, Shirataka
Ibaraki Mito, Hitachi, Hitachiōta, Kitaibaraki, Kasama, Hitachinaka, Hitachiōmiya, Naka, Omitama, Ibaraki (town), Shirosato, Tōkai, Daigo, Tsuchiura, Chikusei
Tochigi Nasu, Ichikai, Takanezawa, Nakagawa
Niigata Minamiuonuma

Tsunami

A tsunami measuring 20 cm was recorded by the JMA in Ishinomaki Port, Miyagi at 00:29 local time.[16] It was followed by another wave measuring 30 cm at 02:14. At Sendai Port, the tsunami measured 20 cm and arrived at 03:15.[3]

Impact

Fukushima

The East Japan Railway Company confirmed that a Tōhoku Shinkansen train derailed between Fukushima Station and Shiroishi-Zaō Station. The company stated that the Yamabiko 223 train service was involved in the accident. Ninety-six passengers were on board at the time of the incident; all passengers and crewmen were uninjured.[17]

In Kunimi, a building collapsed, causing its roof to slide off and scatter roof tiles onto an adjacent empty lot. A vehicle was trapped underneath the fallen roof.[18]

Miyagi

Part of a stone wall of the Aoba Castle in Sendai's Aoba Ward collapsed.[19] The large statue of Date Masamune at the same site was also damaged, with the statue being tilted to one side as a result.[20] A 100-meter-long crack and zone of uplift was observed on the Tōhoku Expressway between the Shiroishi interchange and Kunimi toll stop. The crack was reportedly 30–50 cm across and up to 50 cm high in the uplifted areas.[21] Two cars suffered punctured tires when they were driven over the cracks and wedged between.[22]

Power services

Major power outages occurred across the Tōhoku and Kantō regions. An estimated 2.2 million households from 13 prefectures and one metropolitan area were left without power.[23] TEPCO reported 300,000 power outages as a result. An estimated 120,000 instances of power outages occurred in Tokyo, 60,000 in Kanagawa, and 50,000 in Chiba prefectures. Meanwhile, Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc. (TEP) stated that approximately 153,200 power outages occurred, with 90,000 in Fukushima and 50,000 in Miyagi prefectures.[24]

TEPCO was able to restore power to most households before sunrise on March 17, but at least 33,600 in Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures were still without power.[25]

Transport

The East Japan Railway Company stated on the morning of March 17 that train services between Nasushiobara Station, Tochigi and Morioka Station, Iwate on the Tōhoku Shinkansen will be suspended due to the derailment. Services on the train line was also slower. Shinkansen operations in Yamagata and Akita have also ceased. Trains have stopped operating on sections of the Jōban, Tōhoku Main and Ōu Main lines.[26]

Casualties

A man in his 60s from Sōma, Fukushima, died after jumping out of a window to escape.[27] A second fatality was reported in Tome, Miyagi, a man in his 70s who died from a heart attack.[28] A third fatality was reported in Shichigahama, Miyagi.[29] Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida revealed on the morning of March 17 that four people were killed and at least 97 were injured.[6]

At least 49 residents in Miyagi Prefecture and 36 in Fukushima Prefecture sufered injuries and required treatment.[25] Four people in Kurihara, Miyagi suffered minor injuries due to falling objects.[28] In the Kōshin'etsu region, ten people were reported injured. Three people were injured in Iwate and Yamagata prefectures, respectively, and one person was injured in Akita.[30]

Response

Tsunami warnings

Tsunami warnings were issued along the coasts of Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures following the earthquake, causing evacuations. The tsunami warnings were cancelled at 05:00 local time after only small waves were observed. Officials stated that changes in tide levels at the coasts of Fukushima, Miyagi and Iwate prefectures can be expected without damage.[3]

Fukushima

Workers at Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) were looking into the 2011 disaster-crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant for damage.[31] Officials later reported no new anomalies at the power plant.[32] Reports soon came in that a fire alarm system sounded at the turbine hall of Unit 5 of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, but no fire had occurred. At 01:00, workers inspected the spent containment structures of Units 1, 2 and 3, as well as the cooling facilities for the spent fuel pools where nuclear fuels are stored. The water level of Unit 2's spent fuel pool fell for a while and returned to normal.[33]

At the Fukushima Daini Nuclear Power Plant, the pumps in the spent fuel pools of Units 1 and 3 had stopped working.[33]

Miyagi

An evacuation order was issued to 1,961 households located along the coast in Watari, affecting at least 6,820 residents.[34] The city of Ishinomaki opened seven evacuation shelters for affected residents to seek refuge.

International

Immediately after the earthquake, the U.S. Geological Survey issued a YELLOW PAGER (Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response) which estimated the economic loss caused. There was a 37% chance that damage from the earthquake would result in losses of US$10–100 million; the likelihood for damages to fall within US$100 million to 1 billion was 30%. It was soon revised to ORANGE, for a 35% chance of damage in the cost range of US$100 million to 1 billion. There was a 34% chance that the financial loss would cost US$10–100. A GREEN PAGER was also issued for expected fatalities; the agency estimated that there was a 65% chance that no fatalities would occur.[2]

A tsunami threat was issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, but the agency clarified that the event posted no danger to the West Coast of the United States, Alaska and British Columbia.[35]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Earthquake information : Detail information". Japan Meteorological Agency. 16 March 2022. Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e "M 7.3 - 57 km ENE of Namie, Japan". earthquake.usgs.gov. U.S. Geological Survey. Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  3. ^ a b c "震度6強 宮城・福島の「津波注意報」解除" [Seismic intensity 6 strong Miyagi / Fukushima "Tsunami warning" canceled]. NHK (in Japanese). 17 March 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  4. ^ a b "M 6.5 - 62 km ENE of Namie, Japan". earthquake.usgs.gov. U.S. Geological Survey. Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  5. ^ "M 5.5 - 77 km SE of Ishinomaki, Japan". earthquake.usgs.gov. U.S. Geological Survey. Archived from the original on 17 March 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  6. ^ a b "地震による原発の異常なし、４人死亡・９７人負傷…参院予算委で首相" [No abnormalities in the nuclear power plant due to the earthquake, 4 people died, 97 people injured ... Prime Minister at the House of Councilors Budget Committee]. Yahoo News Japan (in Japanese). 17 March 2022. Archived from the original on 17 March 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  7. ^ James D. Kirkpatrick Christie D. Rowe Kohtaro Ujiie J. Casey Moore Christine Regalla Francesca Remitti Virginia Toy Monica Wolfson‐Schwehr Jun Kameda Santanu Bose Frederick M. Chester (2014). "Structure and lithology of the Japan Trench subduction plate boundary fault". Tectonics. 34 (1): 53–69. doi:10.1002/2014TC003695.
  8. ^ Lay, Thorne (2018). "A review of the rupture characteristics of the 2011 Tohoku-oki Mw 9.1 earthquake". Tectonophysics. 733: 4–36. Bibcode:2018Tectp.733....4L. doi:10.1016/j.tecto.2017.09.022. Archived from the original on 1 March 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  9. ^ "福島県沖 震度6強の地震で気象庁会見 東日本大震災の余震". ウェザーニュース (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 18 February 2021. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  10. ^ General Incorporated Association Kyodo News (14 February 2021). "震源は南北40キロの断層". Kyodo (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 17 February 2021. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  11. ^ a b c "「太平洋プレート逆断層型」「東日本大震災の余震ではない」　古村孝志・東大地震研教授" ["Pacific plate reverse fault type" "Not an aftershock of the Great East Japan Earthquake" Takashi Furumura, Professor, Earthquake Research Institute, The University of Tokyo]. Sankei Shimbun (in Japanese). 17 March 2022. Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  12. ^ "Finite Fault". earthquake.usgs.gov. U.S. Geological Survey. Archived from the original on 17 March 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  13. ^ "日東北規模7.3強震　恐是11年前「311大地震餘震」" [Tohoku earthquake with a magnitude of 7.3 may be the "aftershock of the 311 earthquake" 11 years ago]. Central News Agency (in Chinese). Sanli News Network. 17 March 2022. Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  14. ^ "宮城・福島震度6強地震　深い震源、「東日本」と異なるメカニズム" [Miyagi / Fukushima Seismic Intensity 6 Strong Earthquake Deep epicenter, different mechanism from "Eastern Japan"]. Yahoo News Japan (in Japanese). 17 March 2022. Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  15. ^ a b "宮城県、福島県で震度6強の地震 津波発生のおそれ" [Earthquakes with a seismic intensity of 6 or higher in Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures Risk of tsunami]. tenki.jp. 16 March 2022. Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  16. ^ "【津波観測】 宮城 石巻港で20cm" [[Tsunami observation] 20 cm at Miyagi Ishinomaki Port]. NHK (in Japanese). 17 March 2022. Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  17. ^ "東北新幹線下り「やまびこ223号」脱線確認 乗客96人けがなし" [Southbound Tohoku Shinkansen "Yamabiko 223" confirmed derailed; 96 passengers uninjured]. NHK (in Japanese). 17 March 2022. Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  18. ^ "【動画】福島 国見町 建物の屋根の部分が倒れ 瓦が散乱" [[Video] Fukushima Kunimi Town The roof of the building collapsed and the tiles were scattered.]. NHK (in Japanese). 17 March 2022. Archived from the original on 17 March 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  19. ^ "【速報】仙台城の石垣崩落 地震の影響か". Kahoku News (in Japanese). 17 March 2022. Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  20. ^ "【地震 仙台城跡「伊達政宗騎馬像」傾く 馬の足が破断する被害". NHK News (in Japanese). 17 March 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  21. ^ "東北道 下り線 白石IC～国見SA間で約100ｍにわたりひび割れ" [Cracks over about 100m between Shiroishi IC and Kunimi SA on the Tohoku Expressway]. NHK (in Japanese). 17 March 2022. Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  22. ^ "東北道でひび割れ、けが人確認されず" [Cracks on the Tohoku Expressway, no injuries confirmed]. Goo News (in Japanese). 17 March 2022. Archived from the original on 17 March 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  23. ^ "宮城、福島で震度６強 けが人、搬送相次ぐ" [Injured people with seismic intensity 6 or higher in Miyagi and Fukushima, one after another]. Kyodo News (in Japanese). Okinawa Times. 17 March 2022. Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  24. ^ "東京電力の管内で約86万軒の停電発生 東京港区の新橋駅から報告" [Approximately 860,000 power outages occurred within the jurisdiction of TEPCO Reported from Shimbashi Station in Minato-ku, Tokyo]. khb-tv.co.jp (in Japanese). 17 March 2022. Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  25. ^ a b "宮城、福島で震度６強　両県に津波、最大３０センチ―４人死亡、東北新幹線脱線" [Tsunami in Miyagi and Fukushima with a seismic intensity of 6 or higher, killing up to 30 cm-4 people, derailing the Tohoku Shinkansen]. Jiji Press (in Japanese). 17 March 2022. Archived from the original on 17 March 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  26. ^ Yokoyama, Erika (17 March 2022). "ＪＲ東日本：東北新幹線運転見合わせ、再開のめど立たず－地震で脱線" [JR East: Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen operation suspended, no prospect of resumption-derailment due to earthquake]. Bloomberg News Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 17 March 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  27. ^ "【地震速報】地震１人死亡" [Earthquake bulletin: One earthquake died]. minpo.jp. Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  28. ^ a b "【速報中】東北南部で震度6強、2人死亡　津波注意報は解除" [[Breaking news] Seismic intensity 6 upper, 2 dead in southern Tohoku Tsunami warning canceled]. The Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). 17 March 2022. Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  29. ^ "宮城県と福島県で合わせて3人が死亡 震度6強を観測した地震" [Three people died in Miyagi Prefecture and Fukushima Prefecture. An earthquake observed with a seismic intensity of 6 or higher]. news.yahoo.co.jp (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  30. ^ "宮城 福島で震度6強 2人死亡 88人けが（午前6時）" [In Fukushima, Miyagi, seismic intensity 6 strong 2 people died 88 people injured (6 am)]. NHK. 17 March 2022. Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  31. ^ "東京電力 福島第一原発と第二原発 新たな異常ないか確認中" [TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi and Daini Nuclear Power Plants Checking for new abnormalities]. NHK (in Japanese). 17 March 2022. Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  32. ^ "福島第一・福島第二・女川原発など、異常確認されず" [No abnormalities were confirmed such as Fukushima Daiichi, Fukushima Daini, Onagawa Nuclear Power Plant, etc.]. Yomiuri Shimbun (in Japanese). 17 March 2022. Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  33. ^ a b "福島第一原発 5号機タービン建屋で火災報知器作動 状況確認中" [Fire alarm operation status is being confirmed at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Unit 5 turbine building]. NHK (in Japanese). 17 March 2022. Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  34. ^ "宮城県亘理町 1961世帯に避難指示" [Evacuation order to 1961 households in Watari Town, Miyagi Prefecture]. NHK. 17 March 2022. Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  35. ^ "Tsunami Information Statement Number 1". tsunami.gov. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
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