2016 Kumamoto earthquakes facts for kids
United States Geological Survey shake map for the April 16 earthquake; a maximum Mercalli intensity scale value of 8.8 was observed just east of Kumamoto City.
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| UTC time | 2016-04-15 16:25:06 |
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| ISC event | 610289055 |
| USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
| Local date | April 16, 2016 |
| Local time | 01:25 JST (UTC+9) |
| Magnitude | 7.0 Mw |
| Depth | 10 km |
| Epicenter | 32°46′55.2″N 130°43′33.6″E / 32.782000°N 130.726000°E |
| Type | Strike-slip |
| Areas affected | Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan |
| Max. intensity | IX (Violent) |
| Foreshocks | 6.2Mw, April 14, 2016 12:26:36 (UTC), 21:26:36 (JST) |
| Casualties | Foreshock: 9 dead, 1,108 injured Mainshock: 41 dead, 2,021 injured Total:50 dead, 3,129 injured |
The 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes were a series of strong earthquakes that hit near Kumamoto Prefecture in southern Japan. They happened between April 14 and 16, 2016.
The first big shake, called a foreshock, happened on the evening of April 14. It had a magnitude of 6.2. The main earthquake hit early on April 16, with a magnitude of 7.0.
Contents
Impact of the Earthquakes
These earthquakes caused a lot of damage and sadness. In total, 48 people lost their lives. More than 3,000 people were hurt.
Damage to Buildings and Homes
The area around Kumamoto saw very serious damage. Many buildings were destroyed or fell apart. Famous places like Kumamoto-Castle were badly damaged. Some buildings even caught fire.
Broken Services and Displacement
Important services like water, electricity, and gas were also broken. This made life very hard for people. Over 44,000 people had to leave their homes. They had to live in shelters, which was a difficult experience for many.
Images for kids
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The Great Aso Bridge in Minamiaso collapsed into the Kurokawa River due to a landslide
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The north-west Inui Turret and wall of Kumamoto Castle.
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The ruins of the historic Janes' Residence
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The damaged Sunlive Kengun in the pedestrian arcade in downtown Kumamoto.
See also
In Spanish: Terremoto de Kumamoto de 2016 para niños
