Japan Lifts All Tsunami Warnings and Advisories Following Kamchatka Earthquake

At 4:30 PM on the 31st, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) lifted all tsunami warnings and advisories that had been issued for the Japanese coast following a massive Magnitude 8.7 earthquake near the Kamchatka Peninsula on July 30.

This earthquake caused tsunamis to reach the Japanese coast, with a maximum tsunami of 1.3 meters observed at Kuji Port in Iwate Prefecture. Approximately 32 hours after the issuance of the tsunami warnings and advisories, they were finally lifted for all regions, leading to widespread relief across various areas.

Following the lifting of the alerts, operations at sand bath hot springs in Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture, resumed. However, some regional impacts remained, such as the continued closure of beaches on Tanegashima Island. This tsunami event was lauded for the relatively calm response observed, partly attributed to heightened disaster awareness since the Great East Japan Earthquake.

However, some opinions were heard, such as 'the lifting of the alerts was too slow,' and concerns like 'worries about damage to cities near the epicenter.' The JMA continues to urge caution regarding aftershocks and changes in ocean conditions.

The context

The Kamchatka Peninsula is located in the Russian Far East, northeast of Japan, making it a region where seismic activity can generate tsunamis affecting the Japanese coast. The magnitude 8.7 earthquake on July 30, 2023, was a significant seismic event, prompting alerts across the Pacific.

In Japan, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issues two levels of tsunami alerts: 'Tsunami Warning' (津波警報, Tsunami Keihō) for tsunamis expected to be 1 meter or higher, requiring immediate evacuation from coastal areas, and 'Tsunami Advisory' (津波注意報, Tsunami Chūihō) for tsunamis expected to be between 0.2 meters and 1 meter, urging caution and to stay away from the coast. Both alerts necessitate public awareness and preparedness.

The 'Great East Japan Earthquake' (東日本大震災), also known as the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, was a magnitude 9.1 undersea megathrust earthquake that occurred on March 11, 2011. It triggered massive tsunami waves that caused widespread devastation along Japan's Pacific coast, leading to a significant increase in national disaster awareness and preparedness measures. This heightened awareness is often cited as a reason for the calm public response to subsequent tsunami events.

Sand bath hot springs (砂むし温泉, sunamushi onsen) are a unique type of Japanese hot spring experience, particularly famous in Ibusuki, Kagoshima Prefecture, where visitors lie buried in naturally heated volcanic sand, a popular tourist attraction.