Japan Hit by 6.0 Magnitude Earthquake

Japan experienced a 6.0 magnitude earthquake late Saturday, as announced by the National Center for Seismology (NCS). The NCS stated the earthquake’s epicenter was located 50 km deep. An X post from the NCS noted the earthquake occurred at 8:51 PM with a magnitude of 6.0. Due to its location in an active seismic zone, Japan is equipped with a dense earthquake monitoring system, capable of recording many seismic activities. Japan is also situated within a volcanic zone, leading to frequent minor tremors and occasional volcanic events throughout the islands. The country has a history of significant earthquakes, including the 2024 Noto earthquake, the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, the 2004 Chuetsu earthquake, and the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake. The Shindo scale, which measures seismic intensity, is commonly used instead of magnitude. The Shindo scale is similar to the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale used in the US.