A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake that struck Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture has once again highlighted why the region remains one of the most seismically active zones in the world. The shallow quake has killed at least 13 people, injured hundreds and caused widespread damage to infrastructure, prompting large-scale rescue operations across central Kyushu.

Experts say Kumamoto's vulnerability stems from a unique combination of active fault lines, tectonic plate movement, volcanic activity and soft geological formations that amplify earthquake shaking.

Powerful Quake Causes Heavy Damage

The earthquake struck at 4:27 pm JST on July 28 with its epicentre near Uto City at a shallow depth of about 10 kilometres. Several areas, including Uki, Hikawa and Kumamoto City, experienced some of the strongest shaking recorded on Japan's seismic intensity scale.

The disaster damaged roads, disrupted rail services, caused power outages affecting tens of thousands of households and forced the suspension of flights at Kumamoto Airport while safety inspections were carried out.

Rescue teams, firefighters and personnel from Japan's Self-Defense Forces continue search operations for people trapped beneath collapsed buildings.

Why Kumamoto Experiences Frequent Earthquakes

Geologists explain that Kumamoto lies in one of Japan's most complex tectonic regions.

Japan is located at the meeting point of four major tectonic plates—the Pacific Plate, Philippine Sea Plate, Eurasian Plate and North American Plate. Near Kyushu, the Philippine Sea Plate continuously moves beneath the Eurasian Plate, generating enormous geological stress.

Unlike many other earthquake-prone areas, Kumamoto is also situated within the Beppu-Shimabara Graben, a large rift zone where the Earth's crust is actively stretching. This continuous movement creates frequent fractures and releases energy through powerful shallow earthquakes.

Active Fault Network Increases Risk

Scientists have linked the latest earthquake to the Hinagu Fault Zone, part of the well-known Futagawa-Hinagu fault system.

These faults are relatively shallow, meaning earthquakes originate just a few kilometres beneath the surface. Because seismic waves have very little distance to travel before reaching populated areas, the shaking becomes significantly stronger than in deeper earthquakes.

The same fault network was responsible for the devastating 2016 Kumamoto earthquake sequence, which caused extensive destruction across the region.

Volcanic Activity Adds to Seismic Instability

Kumamoto's location near Mount Aso, one of the world's largest active volcanic calderas, further increases geological instability.

Underground magma and superheated fluids circulate beneath the area, reducing friction along fault lines. Scientists believe these hydrothermal systems can make faults more likely to rupture when tectonic stress builds up.

Although earthquakes do not necessarily trigger volcanic eruptions, the interaction between volcanic systems and active faults contributes to the region's heightened seismic activity.

Soft Soil Amplifies Ground Shaking

Another factor worsening earthquake impacts is the geology of the Kumamoto Plain.

Large parts of the region consist of volcanic ash, loose sediments and water-saturated soil deposited over thousands of years. When seismic waves pass through these softer layers, they slow down but increase in intensity, leading to stronger ground motion.

This phenomenon also raises the risk of soil liquefaction, where saturated ground temporarily loses strength and behaves like a liquid, causing buildings and roads to sink or tilt.

Japan's Preparedness Continues to Evolve

Following previous major earthquakes, including the 2016 Kumamoto disaster, Japan significantly strengthened its disaster preparedness measures.

Modern buildings incorporate advanced seismic-resistant designs, bridges and railways have been retrofitted, and earthquake early warning systems automatically halt trains and industrial operations when strong tremors are detected.

Authorities are also closely monitoring aftershocks using Japan's nationwide seismic observation network while engineers assess damage to critical infrastructure.

Despite these preparations, experts warn that Kumamoto's unique geological setting means the region will continue to face a high risk of powerful earthquakes in the future.

5.2-magnitude quake jolts Guangxi, two dead and thousands evacuated

Earthquake in Liuzhou damages buildings, prompts mass evacuations and ongoing rescue operations

A 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region early Monday, killing two people, collapsing several buildings and forcing more than 7,000 residents in Liuzhou to evacuate, authorities said. Rescue teams continued searches in the hours after the tremor while officials inspected transport links and infrastructure for damage.

Immediate impact
According to provincial emergency management officials, the quake hit in the pre-dawn hours near Liuzhou city. Initial reports said 13 buildings collapsed and one person remained missing; four others were hospitalised with non-life-threatening injuries. Local news outlets said the two fatalities were confirmed late morning after search teams recovered victims from damaged structures.

Evacuations and shelter
More than 7,000 people were evacuated from the most affected neighbourhoods of Liuzhou, the city government said. Municipal authorities set up temporary shelters in community centres and schools, providing basic supplies and medical attention. Social media posts from residents in the area described panicked evacuations in the early hours, with families leaving homes barefoot and children clutching belongings.

Timeline and ground cues
Residents reported feeling strong shaking for several seconds around 3:30am local time, followed by aftershocks that kept people outdoors for hours. “My apartment shook so hard the lights went out,” a local resident told state media. Emergency services said aftershock activity continued through the morning, complicating rescue work and inspections of unstable buildings.

Infrastructure checks
Railway and transport officials dispatched inspection teams to check tracks and bridges on key routes serving Liuzhou. Authorities warned of possible delays as lines were examined, though state reporting added that power, water, gas and major road links were functioning normally in most parts of the city. Telecommunications providers reported largely intact mobile and landline services, helping coordinate relief.

Rescue operations
Search-and-rescue teams from Liuzhou and neighbouring prefectures were mobilised, with heavy machinery brought in to clear rubble where collapses occurred. Local hospitals activated emergency protocols to treat those injured, while volunteer groups delivered blankets and food to shelters. Officials cautioned residents to avoid damaged areas to let responders work and to follow directives from emergency personnel.

Official response and statements
Provincial authorities convened an emergency meeting early on Monday to coordinate relief and damage assessment. “Rescue operations are ongoing,” a provincial emergency management spokesperson said in a brief statement carried by state media. No detailed cause was provided beyond standard geological explanations; seismological agencies said the quake was likely the result of shallow crustal fault movement common to the region.

Background on seismic risk
Guangxi is not among China’s most seismically active provinces, but earthquakes do occur periodically in southern China due to complex interactions between tectonic blocks. Seismologists say shallow, moderate-magnitude quakes can still cause substantial local damage if they strike populated areas with vulnerable buildings. The China Earthquake Networks Center usually issues rapid assessments after such events to guide relief.

Public safety and precautions
Local authorities urged residents to stay calm, avoid entering structurally compromised buildings and follow official evacuation routes. Hospitals posted advisories for non-critical patients to defer visits where possible to keep capacity for trauma care. Schools in the worst-hit districts were closed for inspections, with decisions on reopening to be made after structural checks.

What happens next
Teams are conducting a fuller damage assessment and compiling lists of displaced residents needing longer-term shelter. Railway inspections will determine whether any services must be suspended or speed-restricted for safety. Seismologists will monitor aftershocks and release updates as data comes in.

The quake’s human toll and disruption underline the challenges cities face when moderate seismic events strike built-up areas. For now, relief and search operations remain the priority as authorities work to account for the missing and stabilise damaged sites.

A 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck Manipur in the early hours of Tuesday, sending tremors across parts of the Northeast. According to officials, the quake occurred at 5:59 am IST, catching residents off guard as many rushed out of their homes in fear.

Epicentre and Depth

The National Centre for Seismology (NCS) said the epicentre was located in Kamjong district of Manipur. The earthquake originated at a depth of 62 kilometres beneath the surface, which likely reduced the intensity of surface damage despite being widely felt.

Tremors Across Region

Apart from Manipur, tremors were reported in neighbouring states including Nagaland, Assam and Meghalaya. Residents in several towns said the shaking lasted for a few seconds but was strong enough to prompt evacuation from homes and buildings.

No Major Damage Yet

Authorities have not reported any immediate loss of life or significant property damage. Local administration teams remain on alert, and assessments are underway to determine if remote or vulnerable areas have suffered any impact.

Panic Among Residents

Eyewitness accounts suggested widespread panic, especially in urban centres. Many people stepped out into open spaces as a precaution. Schools and offices were yet to report any disruption, but the sudden tremor created anxiety among residents.

Ongoing State Tensions

The earthquake comes amid ongoing unrest in Manipur, where law and order issues continue to disrupt normal life. Recent incidents of violence, protests and shutdowns have already strained public services in both valley and hill districts.

Protests and Shutdowns

Earlier this month, multiple organisations had called for shutdowns in protest against killings and violence in the state. Several districts witnessed closures of schools, markets and public transport, affecting daily life across the region.

Security Concerns Rise

Officials said security forces remain deployed in sensitive areas following recent violent incidents. Protests in Imphal and surrounding regions have occasionally turned tense, adding to concerns about public safety and governance challenges.

Monitoring and Preparedness

Disaster management authorities are closely monitoring the situation after the Manipur earthquake. Experts note that the Northeast falls under a high seismic zone, making such tremors relatively frequent.

What Lies Ahead

Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious and follow safety protocols in case of aftershocks. As per latest inputs, no aftershocks have been reported so far.