Earthquake Hits Japan, No Tsunami Warning
An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.8 has hit Japan, according to a news agency.
The earthquake struck the coast of Honshu, the largest island in Japan and home to major cities.
A separate report gave a slightly different figure, saying the earthquake had a magnitude of 5.9 and that it had shaken eastern Japan.
Fortunately, no tsunami warning was issued after the earthquake. This means experts do not expect large, dangerous waves.
Japan sits on several tectonic plates, which makes the country prone to frequent seismic activity. Earthquakes of this size are not unusual there.
Authorities are continuing to monitor the region for any reports of damage or aftershocks, which are smaller earthquakes that can follow a main one.
So far, no major damage or injuries have been reported in connection with this earthquake. Local officials often check buildings and infrastructure after such events to make sure everything is safe.
Because Japan has strict building codes designed to withstand earthquakes, structures in the affected area are generally built to handle moderate shaking without collapsing.
Vocabulary10 words
- earthquake
- a sudden strong shaking of the ground
- magnitude
- a number showing how strong an earthquake is
- coast
- the land area next to the sea
- tsunami
- a very large, dangerous ocean wave
- tectonic plates
- huge pieces of the earth's surface that move slowly
- seismic activity
- movement in the earth, like earthquakes
- aftershocks
- smaller earthquakes that happen after a big one
- monitor
- to watch something carefully over time
- infrastructure
- basic things like roads and buildings needed by a country
- building codes
- official rules for how to build safe buildings
Quiz
Answer key
1. 5.8 and 5.9 2. It sits on several tectonic plates 3. No
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
An earthquake with a _____ of 5.8 has hit Japan, according to a news agency.
The earthquake struck the _____ of Honshu, the largest island in Japan and home to major cities.
A separate report gave a slightly different figure, saying the earthquake had a magnitude of 5.9 and that it had shaken _____ Japan.
Fortunately, no _____ warning was issued after the earthquake. This means experts do not expect large, dangerous waves.
Japan sits on several _____, which makes the country prone to frequent _____. Earthquakes of this size are not unusual there.
Authorities are continuing to _____ the region for any reports of damage or _____, which are smaller earthquakes that can follow a main one.
So far, no major damage or injuries have been reported in connection with this earthquake.
Because Japan has strict _____ designed to withstand earthquakes, structures in the affected area are generally built to handle moderate shaking without collapsing.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think Japan experiences so many earthquakes?
- How might strict building codes help protect people during an earthquake?
- Why is it important that no tsunami warning was issued in this case?
- What steps do you think authorities should take after an earthquake like this?