Earthquake leaves 10km trail of ground cracks along Kumamoto's Hinagu fault zone
A massive earthquake in Kumamoto, Japan, has caused a 10km trail of ground cracks along the Hinagu fault zone. Aerial surveys confirm significant structural damage to homes and infrastructure, including vertical shifts in road surfaces.
Why it matters
The extent of the surface rupture provides critical data for seismic research and highlights the severe impact of the earthquake on local infrastructure.
KUMAMOTO: Numerous cracks stretching more than 10km along the Hinagu fault zone, the epicentre of Tuesday's massive earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture, have been confirmed by The Yomiuri Shimbun.
An aerial survey conducted from a helicopter on Friday also confirmed ground-level damage in the vicinity of the fault zone, including damage to homes.
The earthquake is believed to have been caused by a fault slip extending about 30km along the fault zone. From the helicopter, an intermittent yet distinct line of cracks was visible along the border between the plains and the hills.
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