Earthquake Hits Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan
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An earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture in southern Japan, according to a report from FNN Prime Online.
The Japan Meteorological Agency announced details about the earthquake at 23:57 on the 26th. It gave the seismic intensity for each city and town affected.
Seismic intensity is a scale used in Japan to show how strongly an earthquake is felt in different places. The strongest intensity recorded was 4.
In Ashikita Town, located in Kumamoto Prefecture, the seismic intensity was much lower, at 1. This shows how the same earthquake can feel different depending on location.
The agency confirmed that there was no risk of a tsunami following the earthquake. This information came from a separate report by a weather forecaster.
No injuries or damage were mentioned in the reports. The earthquake appears to have been a routine seismic event, of the kind that happens fairly often in Japan.
Japan sits on several tectonic plates, which makes earthquakes common across the country. Authorities regularly monitor seismic activity and quickly share updates with the public.
Residents in the affected area are advised to stay alert, even when an earthquake is small, as aftershocks can sometimes follow.
Vocabulary7 words
- earthquake
- sudden shaking of the ground
- Japan Meteorological Agency
- government group that reports weather and earthquakes
- seismic intensity
- a scale showing how strong shaking feels in a place
- tsunami
- a large, dangerous sea wave
- tectonic plates
- huge pieces of the Earth's surface that move slowly
- aftershocks
- smaller shakes that follow a big earthquake
- prefecture
- a large region in Japan
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Quiz
Answer key
1. An earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture 2. 1 3. No, there was no risk
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
An earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture in southern Japan, according to a report from _____.
The Japan Meteorological Agency announced details about the earthquake at 23:57 on the _____.
It gave the seismic _____ for each city and town affected.
The strongest intensity recorded was _____.
In Ashikita Town, located in Kumamoto Prefecture, the seismic intensity was much lower, at _____.
The agency confirmed that there was no risk of a _____ following the earthquake.
No injuries or _____ were mentioned in the reports.
Japan sits on several _____, which makes earthquakes common across the country.
Authorities regularly monitor seismic activity and quickly share _____ with the public.
Residents in the affected area are advised to stay alert, even when an earthquake is small, as _____ can sometimes follow.
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