On January 1, just past midnight, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake shook most of Japan’s mainland. The epicenter of the earthquake was in the Noto peninsula, in Central Japan. The earthquake caused extensive damage to roads, buildings, and other infrastructure. In some cities close to the epicenter, as much as 90 percent of the buildings have been completely reduced to rubble or broken beyond repair.
This infrastructure collapse has made it hard for rescue workers to access some of the most heavily affected areas, having to depend on air transport to aid rescue efforts. Despite these issues, an estimated 57,360 people have been evacuated, and rescue attempts are ongoing. The Japanese military is also aiding in the relief effort by providing free meals and tents for the displaced. The current death toll is 64, but as the rescue attempts finish and rubble is cleared away, that number may rise.
After the main quake, aftershocks continue to shake the ground, some as great as a 5.5 on the Richter scale. A tsunami advisory was in effect, but luckily no waves over four feet reached the mainland. Though earthquakes are not uncommon in this region, they are still devastating disasters that lead to around 50 deaths per year.