Southern Japan experienced a strong earthquake on Monday, January 13, though authorities stated it did not meet the criteria for a megaquake warning, unlike the advisory issued for the first time last year.

The earthquake, with a preliminary magnitude of 6.9, struck the Kyushu region at 9:19 PM local time (0019 GMT), according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). Following an assessment, the JMA determined the quake did not require special measures related to seismic activity in the Nankai Trough.

The Nankai Trough, located off Japan's southwestern coast, marks the subduction zone where the Philippine Sea Plate slides beneath the Eurasia Plate. This region is known for generating massive earthquakes approximately every 100 to 150 years. Strong nearby tremors are often considered potential precursors to a megaquake.

In August, the JMA issued a week-long advisory warning of a "relatively higher chance" of a magnitude 9 megaquake after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Japan's southwest.

Monday's earthquake triggered tsunami advisories for waves up to one meter (3.3 feet) in Miyazaki and Kochi prefectures. A tsunami measuring 20 centimeters (7.8 inches) was recorded in Miyazaki city, according to public broadcaster NHK. All tsunami advisories were lifted by 2:50 AM GMT. NHK also reported no irregularities at the Ikata Nuclear Power Plant in western Japan or the Sendai Nuclear Power Plant in Kagoshima, the closest facilities to the quake's epicenter.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters