1889 Kumamoto earthquake
Encyclopedia
The 1889 Kumamoto earthquake was an earthquake which occurred at 23.45 p.m. July 28, 1889 in the western part of Kumamoto. It was also called the Kinpozan earthquake (or Kinbozan earthquake, since its epicenter was the southern-eastern foot of Mt. Kinpo) and its magnitude was 6.3.
Twenty people died (5 in Kumamoto City and 15 in Akita Gun, Kumamoto Prefecture
) and hundreds of houses and parts of Kumamoto Castle
were destroyed. The earthquake was the first one after the establishment of the Seismological Society of Japan
(in 1880), and its waves were recorded at Potsdam
, Germany. Few houses were affected by fire since the quake occurred at midnight. Aftershocks occurred for 5 months, and some people had to sleep outdoors. Tadao Shimoma thought that the earthquake was a combination of the Tatsuda fault and unsuccessful volcanic activities, since there were injections of aerosol
into the air at many places around Mt. Kinpo, Ninotake and Sannotake. He claimed the Kinpo mountains (now showing no volcanic activities) are similar to Mt. Unzen in petrology
. The photographs were considered the earliest earthquake damage photos in Japan.
Twenty people died (5 in Kumamoto City and 15 in Akita Gun, Kumamoto Prefecture
Kumamoto Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on Kyushu Island. The capital is the city of Kumamoto.- History :Historically the area was called Higo Province; and the province was renamed Kumamoto during the Meiji Restoration. The creation of prefectures was part of the abolition of the feudal system...
) and hundreds of houses and parts of Kumamoto Castle
Kumamoto Castle
is a hilltop Japanese castle located in Kumamoto in Kumamoto Prefecture. It was a large and extremely well fortified castle. The is a concrete reconstruction built in 1960, but several ancillary wooden buildings remain of the original castle. Kumamoto Castle is considered one of the three premier...
were destroyed. The earthquake was the first one after the establishment of the Seismological Society of Japan
Seismological Society of Japan
The or SSJ is a learned society with the goal of advancing the understanding of earthquakes and other seismic phenomena.-History:...
(in 1880), and its waves were recorded at Potsdam
Potsdam
Potsdam is the capital city of the German federal state of Brandenburg and part of the Berlin/Brandenburg Metropolitan Region. It is situated on the River Havel, southwest of Berlin city centre....
, Germany. Few houses were affected by fire since the quake occurred at midnight. Aftershocks occurred for 5 months, and some people had to sleep outdoors. Tadao Shimoma thought that the earthquake was a combination of the Tatsuda fault and unsuccessful volcanic activities, since there were injections of aerosol
Aerosol
Technically, an aerosol is a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in a gas. Examples are clouds, and air pollution such as smog and smoke. In general conversation, aerosol usually refers to an aerosol spray can or the output of such a can...
into the air at many places around Mt. Kinpo, Ninotake and Sannotake. He claimed the Kinpo mountains (now showing no volcanic activities) are similar to Mt. Unzen in petrology
Petrology
Petrology is the branch of geology that studies rocks, and the conditions in which rocks form....
. The photographs were considered the earliest earthquake damage photos in Japan.