South Japanese Earthquake: 6.4‑Magnitude Shake, No Damage, No Casualties
On Tuesday, January 8th, a 6.4‑magnitude earthquake jolted the waters off the coast of southern Japan. The US Geological Survey reported that the tremor was nothing to fret about – no damage or casualties were reported.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Magnitude: 6.4
- Depth: 39 km
- Epicenter: 116 km south‑south‑east of Kagoshima
- Location: South of Japan’s mainland
Why Does Japan Tolerate This?
Japan sits on some of the world’s most seismically active plates, so earthquakes are practically a part of daily life. In fact, the country accounts for roughly 20 percent of all magnitude‑6 and greater quakes worldwide.
What’s the Bottom Line?
It was a solid 6‑plus shuffle, but the ground did its best to stay gentle on the pavement. Residents and officials report that everything remains safe, giving us a moment to appreciate how resilient and quick‑to‑recover Japan is.
