Japan issues tsunami warning after 6.9 magnitude earthquake: What is the ring of fire? | Explained news

Japan Earthquake: A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.9 struck the Kyushu region at 9:19 p.m. local time in southwestern Japan on Monday (January 13), according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. She added that the epicenter of the earthquake was at a depth of 30 kilometers.

Tsunami warnings for waves up to one meter high have been issued in Miyazaki Prefecture in Kyushu, as well as in nearby Kochi Prefecture, the agency said. Residents of the coastal area of ​​Kochi were asked to evacuate as a precaution. There have been no reports of damage so far.

Japanese Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) reported that tsunami waves, 20 centimeters high, struck the city of Miyazaki, which has a population of about 400,000 people. NHK also reported that the agency is investigating whether the current quake is linked to the Nankai Basin, for which it issued a major earthquake warning last August.

Japan's location along the “Ring of Fire” makes it vulnerable to frequent earthquakes. We explain.

What is a fire ring?

The “Ring of Fire” is a chain of hundreds of volcanoes and earthquake sites that runs along the Pacific Ocean. It is shaped like a semicircle or horseshoe, and extends for approximately 40,250 kilometers. The Ring of Fire traces the meeting points of several tectonic plates, including the Eurasian, North American, Juan de Fuca, Cocos, Caribbean, Nazca, Antarctic, Indian, Australian, Philippine, and other smaller plates, all of which surround the Big Pacific. According to a report by National Geographic magazine.

It passes through 15 other countries including the United States of America, Indonesia, Mexico, Japan, Canada, Guatemala, Russia, Chile, Peru and the Philippines.

Pacific ring of fire map. (Credit: USGS) Why is the Ring of Fire vulnerable to earthquakes?

The Ring of Fire experiences a large number of earthquakes due to constant sliding, collision, or movement above or below tectonic plates. Because the edges of these plates are so jagged, they stick together while the rest of the plate continues to move. An earthquake occurs when a plate moves a sufficient distance and its edges separate from a fault.

Japan is prone to earthquakes due to the interaction of four tectonic plates – the Pacific Plate, the Philippine Sea Plate, the Okhotsk Plate, and the Eurasian Plate.

Why are there so many volcanoes in the Ring of Fire?

The presence of volcanoes in the Ring of Fire is also due to the movement of tectonic plates. Many volcanoes were formed through a process known as subduction. This occurs when two plates collide with each other and the heavier plate is pushed under the other, creating a deep trench.

“Basically, when there is a 'descending' oceanic plate. [like the Pacific Plate] It is forced into a hotter mantle plate, heats up, and the volatiles mix, creating magma. The magma then rises through the overlying plate and pushes toward the surface,” leading to the formation of volcanoes, according to a DW report.

Most of the planet's subduction zones are located in the “Ring of Fire” and for this reason host a large number of volcanoes.

(This is an updated version of the explanation published in April 2024)

Discover the benefits of our subscription!

Stay informed by accessing our award-winning journalism.

Avoid misinformation through reliable and accurate reporting.

Make smarter decisions with insights that matter.

Choose your subscription package

What Are The Main Benefits Of Comparing Car Insurance Quotes Online

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2020, / Compare-autoinsurance.Org has launched a new blog post that presents the main benefits of comparing multiple car insurance quotes. For more info and free online quotes, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/the-advantages-of-comparing-prices-with-car-insurance-quotes-online/ The modern society has numerous technological advantages. One important advantage is the speed at which information is sent and received. With the help of the internet, the shopping habits of many persons have drastically changed. The car insurance industry hasn't remained untouched by these changes. On the internet, drivers can compare insurance prices and find out which sellers have the best offers. View photos The advantages of comparing online car insurance quotes are the following: Online quotes can be obtained from anywhere and at any time. Unlike physical insurance agencies, websites don't have a specific schedule and they are available at any time. Drivers that have busy working schedules, can compare quotes from anywhere and at any time, even at midnight. Multiple choices. Almost all insurance providers, no matter if they are well-known brands or just local insurers, have an online presence. Online quotes will allow policyholders the chance to discover multiple insurance companies and check their prices. Drivers are no longer required to get quotes from just a few known insurance companies. Also, local and regional insurers can provide lower insurance rates for the same services. Accurate insurance estimates. Online quotes can only be accurate if the customers provide accurate and real info about their car models and driving history. Lying about past driving incidents can make the price estimates to be lower, but when dealing with an insurance company lying to them is useless. Usually, insurance companies will do research about a potential customer before granting him coverage. Online quotes can be sorted easily. Although drivers are recommended to not choose a policy just based on its price, drivers can easily sort quotes by insurance price. Using brokerage websites will allow drivers to get quotes from multiple insurers, thus making the comparison faster and easier. For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ Compare-autoinsurance.Org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. "Online quotes can easily help drivers obtain better car insurance deals. All they have to do is to complete an online form with accurate and real info, then compare prices", said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. CONTACT: Company Name: Internet Marketing CompanyPerson for contact Name: Gurgu CPhone Number: (818) 359-3898Email: [email protected]: https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ SOURCE: Compare-autoinsurance.Org View source version on accesswire.Com:https://www.Accesswire.Com/595055/What-Are-The-Main-Benefits-Of-Comparing-Car-Insurance-Quotes-Online View photos