Strong 7.1 earthquake rattles southwestern Japan, triggers tsunami advisories

A strong earthquake rattled southwestern Japan Thursday triggering tsunami advisories, the United States Geological Survey is reporting.

The notable quake registered a magnitude 7.1, the USGS said, and took place about 12 miles southeast of Miyazaki, a city on the island of Kyushu .

The quake occurred at 4:43 p.m. local time (12:43 a.m. EST).

It was not immediately known if anyone was injured or whether damage was reported on the island but public broadcaster NKS said waves as high as 50 cm (more than 1.6 feet) had already been observed.

The outlet also reported Japanese Meteorological Agency on Thursday issued a megaquake advisory, per local protocol.

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Japanese government checking for damages, casualties

There have been no reports of abnormalities at nuclear power plants on the island, Reuters reported, and officials were "checking for damage and casualties," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters.

According to its last census, Miyazak had an estimated population of just under 400,000 people.

Data provided by USGS showed the earthquake registered more than 15 miles deep in the ocean.

This is a developing story.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Strong 7.1 earthquake rattles southwestern Japan, triggers tsunami advisories