ASO (2)

Strong earthquakes are expected to continue for another week.

The continuing earthquakes that have hit the island of Kyushu for the last four days have wrought significant destruction on the region and resulted in the loss of 41 lives. Beloved historic sites have seen extensive damage, and landslides and a small eruption from the volcano Mount Aso have only added to the disaster and anxiety in the area.

The severity of the earthquakes can be difficult to comprehend, but recent news stories show just how much they have changed the face of the land. According to NHK, one GPS observation point in Minimi Aso moved southwest 97 centimeters (38 inches). The same observation point rose 23 centimeters (about 9 inches). Another observation point moved east-northeast 75 centimeters (about 28.7 inches) and fell 20 centimeters (about 7.87 inches).

▼ The arrows show the directions of movement. Their lengths are relative to the distance moved.

▼ In the video below, you can see cracks in the earth near the epicenter of one earthquake.

https://youtu.be/UlV71ntRidI?t=41s

These photos, tweeted by local Japanese Twitter user @Zephel_nico2, show the destruction done to one road in Shikario, an area of Aso City.

ASO (4)

ASO (3)

ASO (2)

ASO (1)

The tremors and aftershocks have yet to stop and NHK reports that over 400 have been detected between the first earthquake on April 14 and noon on April 17. Japan’s meteorological agency expects strong tremors to continue for some time and have called for vigilance in the area, indicating that the earthquakes with a seismic activity of “weak 6” may continue for around another week. Currently, 11 people have been reported missing.

In addition to the earthquakes striking Japan, a massive earthquake has also hit Ecuador, resulting in the deaths of 28 people.

Sources: NHK (1, 2), Sankei, Golden News, News 24,
Images: Twitter/@Zephel_nico2