Strong Earthquake Hits Off Japan's Southern Coast

February 7th, 2010,

Filed at 1:38 a.m. ET TOKYO (AP) -- Japan's Meteorological Agency has issued a tsunami warning for several small islands after a strong earthquake shook an area off the country's southern coast.

The agency says the earthquake hit at 3:10 p.m. (0610 GMT) and registered magnitude 6.6. The U.S. Geological Survey measured the quake at 6.4.

The Japanese agency says the tsunami is expected to be about 1.6 feet (50 centimeters) high.

There were no immediate reports of damage.

Japan is one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries. In 1995, a magnitude-7.2 quake in the western port city of Kobe killed 6,400 people.

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Since 1703, Japan had many earthquake and about 25 and the earthquake lists show that the magnitude recorded more than 6.5. The strongest earthquake was on June 15, 1896,8.5 Magnitude and killed more than 27,000 at that time in 1896. Now that the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) measured the quake at 6.4 in Japan in February 6th, 2010.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) organization has four major science disciplines, concerning biology, geography, geology, and hydrology. The USGS is a fact-finding research organization with no regulatory responsibility.

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According to the USGS report, South of the Fuji Islands magnitude shows that uncertainty rate: magnitude 5.8 which was on February 7th, 15:28:18 PST time. see the following graphics:

February 7th, 2010,

The following is summay of Centroid moment tensor solution
and Body wave movement Tension solution in Southwestern Ryukyu Island in Japan

News media shows that the Japanese agency says the tsunami is expected to be about 1.6 feet (50 centimeters) high.

Tsunamis are ocean waves caused by large earthquakes and landslides that occur near or under the ocean. University of Washington research report shows that any time you feel a large earthquake, or if you see a disturbance in the ocean that might be a tsunami, head to high ground or inland which tsunamies are often no taller than normal wind waves, but they are much more dangerous. Click to see the graphics

Tsunami waves are unlike typical ocean waves generated by wind and storms. When tsunamis approach shore, the behave like a very fast moving tide that extends far inland.

Most tsunamis do not "break" like the curling, wind-generated waves popular with surfers. Even "small" tsunamis (for example, 6 feet in height) are associated with extremely strong currents,

It is good to review the important facts to know about the tsunamis. See the following:

When the tsunami happens, if you are on the land the following advices may save your life: sources: USGS:

U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1187 Version 1.1 talks about the great tips for Surviving a Tsunami which compiled by Brian F. Atwater, Marco Cisternas V.1, Joanne Bourgeois2, Walter C. Dudley3, James W. Hendley II, and Peter H.Stauffer.

Tips for Surviving a Tsunami

Head for High Ground and Stay There- Move uphill or at least inland.

Away from the coast.

Abandon Belongings - Save your life, not your possessions.

Don’t Count on the Roads When fleeing a tsunami caused by a nearby earthquake, you may find roads broken or blocked.

Go to an Upper Floor or Roof of a Building Only if trapped and unable to reach high ground, go to an upper story of a sturdy building or get on its roof. .

Climb a Tree As a last resort, climb up a strong tree if trapped on low ground.

Climb onto Something that Floats If swept up by a tsunami, look for something to use as a raft.

Expect the Waves to Leave Debris A tsunami will leave behind sand, the remains of houses, and bodies.

Expect Quakes to Lower Coastal Land A large earthquake can leave nearby coastal areas lowered, allowing tidal water to flood them.

Expect Company Shelter your neighbors.

You can see more detail via USGS site : Surviving a Tsunami - Lessons from Chile, Hawaii, and Japan

Resources:

The New York Times

USGS

Surviving a Tsunami— Lessons From Chile, Hawaii, and Japan

Wikipedia

University of Washington Earth and Science

catch4all.com, Sandra Englund, February 7, 2010