Earthquake Shakes Tokyo Area, No Tsunami Risk
A powerful earthquake struck near Tokyo, Japan, early on Sunday morning. The quake had a magnitude of 5.9, which is considered strong.
The epicenter, the point where the earthquake started, was located in the Ibaraki region, close to Tokyo. The event happened at 6:45 local time.
Authorities confirmed there is no tsunami risk following this earthquake. A tsunami is a series of dangerous ocean waves that can follow strong undersea quakes.
Japan sits on several tectonic plates, huge sections of the earth's crust that are constantly shifting. This makes the country one of the most seismic regions in the world.
There were also reports of a much weaker tremor, magnitude 2.1, in western Honshu, though this has not been confirmed.
Residents in the Tokyo area reported feeling the shaking, but no major damage or injuries have been reported so far. Japanese authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, as aftershocks are possible after such events.
Japan has strict building codes designed to help structures withstand earthquakes, which likely helped limit the impact of this quake.
Vocabulary10 words
- earthquake
- a sudden shaking of the ground
- magnitude
- a number showing how strong an earthquake is
- epicenter
- the exact place where an earthquake begins
- tsunami
- a very large, dangerous sea wave
- tectonic plates
- huge pieces of the earth's surface that move slowly
- seismic
- related to earthquakes
- tremor
- a small shaking of the ground
- monitor
- to watch something carefully over time
- aftershocks
- smaller earthquakes that happen after a big one
- withstand
- to survive something difficult without breaking
Quiz
Answer key
1. 5.9 2. Ibaraki region near Tokyo 3. False
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A powerful _____ struck near Tokyo, Japan, early on Sunday morning. The quake had a _____ of 5.9, which is considered strong.
The _____, the point where the earthquake started, was located in the Ibaraki region, close to Tokyo.
Authorities confirmed there is no _____ risk following this earthquake.
Japan sits on several _____, huge sections of the earth's crust that are constantly shifting.
There were also reports of a much weaker _____, magnitude 2.1, in western Honshu, though this has not been confirmed.
Japanese authorities continue to _____ the situation closely, as _____ are possible after such events.
Japan has strict building codes designed to help structures _____ earthquakes.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think Japan experiences so many earthquakes?
- How might strict building codes help reduce damage during earthquakes?
- Why is it important for authorities to quickly announce whether there is a tsunami risk?
- What steps do you think people should take when they feel an earthquake?