Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Earthquake #2

Some 33 hours after our first experience with an earthquake in Japan on Sunday evening, we were greeted by a second one this morning at 5am. Magnitude 4 in Tokyo again but 6.6 in Shizuoka nearest the epicentre, which about 50km west of Mt Fuji (we were about 20km east of Mt Fuji on Sunday).

Both quake epicentres are out under the sea. This time the alert comes with a Tsunami warning of half metre for the coasts around Shizuoka and Ito Peninsula, facing the Phillippine Sea (interesting name since the Phillippines is rather far away, whereas the sea facing Tokyo Bay is named North Pacific Ocean. See http://travel.yahoo.com/p-map-191501645-map_of_tokyo-i;_ylc=X3oDMTFka28zOGNuBF9TAzI3NjY2NzkEX3MDOTY5NTUzMjUEc2VjA3NzcC1kZXN0BHNsawN0aXRsZQ--). A submerged ridge that stretches from Ito Peninsula in Japan all the way to Northern Mariana Islands separates the Phillippine Sea from North Pacific Ocean.

Upon checking the Japan Meteorological Agency website for information, I notice there is almost an earthquake in Japan EVERYDAY!. No wonder in both quakes these last two days, we didnt see any neighbours rushing out of their apartments. I really do not wish to see one though.....

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