EERI’s Learning From Earthquakes (LFE) program is currently monitoring the impacts of the destructive M7.5 earthquake that struck just offshore of the Noto Peninsula in Japan at 4:10 PM local time on January 1, 2024. The earthquake damaged buildings and disrupted lifelines, particularly electricity and transportation networks, in cities in Ishikawa Prefecture. The most severe impacts were in Wajima City, which saw several building collapses and a multi-structure fire. According to Japanese authorities, at least 55 people were killed in the earthquake. An unknown number of people were injured and tens of thousands have been displaced. The Japan Meteorological Agency also issued a tsunami warning, later downgraded to an advisory, for the western coast, where tsunami waves of up to 1.2 meters height were observed. At least ten M5.0 or above aftershocks have been recorded. The EERI community extends its sympathy to those affected as rescue and response work continues.
Damaged houses in Suzu, Japan (Asahi Shimbun/Getty)
LFE has created an event page to collect rreconnaissance reports and other information about this earthquake.
For more information, visit the following resources:
USGS Resources:
- M 7.5 - 42 km NE of Anamizu, Japan Executive Summary
- PAGER (yellow for fatalities, red for economic losses)
Media Coverage:
- Powerful quake rocks Japan, nearly 100,000 residents ordered to evacuate (Reuters)
- Rescuers Search Rubble After Powerful Earthquake Strikes Japan (New York Times)
- Japan issues tsunami warnings after powerful earthquake (Washington Post)
- Strong quake prompts tsunami warning for Japan's western coast (Japan Times)
Learning From Earthquakes Resources:
- M9.0 March 11, 2011 Tohoku Japan Earthquake & Tsunami Clearinghouse
- M7.0 April 15, 2016 Kumamoto, Japan Earthquake Clearinghouse
EERI is evaluating the situation and consulting with local colleagues and experts to determine how LFE should respond. More information will be shared on the EERI website in the future.
