A powerful quake hits off Japan's coast, causing minor injuries but prompting new concerns
A powerful earthquake has struck off Japan’s southern coast and injured nine people, but most of the injuries are minor and there have been no reports of serious damage
TOKYO (AP) — A powerful earthquake struck off southern Japan on Thursday, causing mostly minor injuries but raising the level of concern over possible major quakes stemming from an undersea trough east of the coast.
Officials said nine people were injured on Japan's southern main island of Kyushu, but the injuries were mostly minor, there were no reports of serious damage and tsunami advisories for the quake were later lifted.
However, the quake prompted seismologists to hold an emergency meeting in which they reassessed and raised the level of risk of major quakes associated with the Nankai Trough east of southern Japan.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said that Thursday’s quake registered magnitude 7.1 and was centered in waters off the eastern coast of Kyushu at a depth of about 30 kilometers (about 19 miles) below sea surface.
