Japan fears megaquake following two powerful earthquakes

Japanese meteorological experts are warning of a potential megaquake following the occurrence of two powerful earthquakes on 8 August 2024.

This is the country's first such announcement since the introduction of an alert system following the violent 2011 earthquake.

The magnitude 6.9 and 7.1 tremors that struck on 8 August left eight people injured in the south of the country. No major material damage was reported by the authorities.

Every year, Japan records around 1 500 tremors, most of which are of low magnitude.

On 1 January 2024, more than 300 people lost their lives in an earthquake that shook the nation's center.