Massive Land Uplift After Noto Peninsula Quake Shocks Internet with Stunning Before-and-After Images | WPN World People News

Japan’s Tokara Islands (Tokara Rettō), particularly Akusekijima in Toshima Village, Kagoshima Prefecture, have experienced a persistent series of earthquakes in recent weeks, with over 1,200 tremors recorded so far. The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued warnings for the possibility of a major earthquake in the near future.

Amid these concerns, renewed attention has turned to the Noto Peninsula after Japan’s Geospatial Information Authority (GSI) released updated maps. Japanese netizens were shocked to discover dramatic changes in areas where the seabed had risen — a result of the powerful earthquake that struck the peninsula on New Year’s Day in 2024.

On January 1, 2024, the Noto Peninsula was hit by a magnitude 7.6 earthquake, which severely damaged Ishikawa Prefecture and surrounding areas. In addition to the tragic loss of life and widespread destruction, recent geological analysis and satellite imagery have revealed that parts of the coastline experienced significant uplift. In some areas, the shoreline has extended outward, effectively adding new land — a change that stunned both scientists and the public.

According to data from the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan, regions near the northern tip of the peninsula — such as Suzu City and Wajima City — experienced crustal uplift of 1 to 4 meters due to fault activity. As a result, large portions of the seabed that were once submerged are now exposed above the water, creating new landforms. Some ports, beaches, and even formerly offshore rock formations — once reachable only by boat — can now be accessed on foot.

Numerous before-and-after images circulating online show stark contrasts: boulders, seaweed, and fishing gear now lie exposed under the sun, and what were once glistening shorelines have become barren expanses of newly risen ground. One netizen described the scene as if “the gods had pushed the land forward,” while another said it looked like “the sea had been shoved aside by the quake,” marveling at the immense power of the earth’s crust.

Experts note that this kind of seismic uplift is not unprecedented. Similar events were observed during the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake near Sumatra, which altered coastlines and even caused slight shifts in Earth’s axis. However, the scale and extent of the uplift in Noto remain unusual and are expected to have lasting impacts on local ecosystems, fisheries, and port operations.

The Ishikawa Prefectural Government has begun assessing how these geographical changes may affect port functionality and post-disaster reconstruction plans. Officials have also urged residents and visitors to stay away from the newly exposed coastal areas, warning that the terrain may be unstable and dangerous.