A quiet corner of the world, the Tokara Islands in southern Japan, has become a place of restless nights. For two weeks straight, people living there have felt the earth shake, time and again. Over 900 earthquakes have hit this small island chain, leaving residents scared and sleep-deprived.
The Japan Meteorological Agency reported this unsettling activity began on June 21st. The tremors have been happening mostly in the sea around the islands. The strongest quake yet, a magnitude 5.5, struck just last Wednesday. So far, there’s been no major damage reported, and thankfully, no tsunami warnings have gone out. Still, authorities are telling everyone to be ready to leave if things get worse.
Locals say they are living on edge. They describe a constant feeling of the ground moving, and they desperately wish for it to stop. While the Tokara Islands have seen groups of quakes before, this recent surge is unlike anything in memory. The sheer number of tremors has created deep stress among the people.
Life on the Islands
The Tokara chain includes 12 islands, but only seven are home to people, about 700 in total. Getting around isn’t easy. Some islands don’t even have hospitals. A boat ride to Kagoshima, the nearest major city, can take over six hours. This isolation makes dealing with constant earthquakes even harder.
Toshima Village, the local government for the islands, has noticed the toll this is taking. They put out a statement explaining that many residents are simply not getting enough rest. The shaking goes on day and night. The village has also asked news reporters to be gentle and not overwhelm residents with too many questions, hoping to ease their worry.
The village website also shared news that many island accommodations have stopped taking new visitors. This is a practical step, as some buildings might be needed as safe havens if a big disaster hits.
A Nation’s Unease
These frequent quakes in a remote area come at a time when many Japanese people are already worried about a “mega-earthquake.” This fear grew partly from rumors tied to a popular manga by artist Ryo Tatsuki. These rumors have even made some tourists cancel their trips to Japan.
The Japanese government has warned its citizens for a while about the possibility of a “great earthquake” happening at any time. They estimate that in the worst-case scenario, such an event could claim over 300,000 lives. This week, the government announced new steps to prepare, like building seawalls and emergency shelters. But officials admit there’s still much more to do to prepare for the natural forces that lie ahead.
Source: BBC