Tokyo, A relentless wave of seismic activity has rocked Japan’s southern island chain, with more than 900 earthquakes recorded in just 14 days, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). The majority of these tremors have been centered around the Ryukyu Islands, particularly near Amami Ōshima and surrounding islets.

While most of the quakes have been minor, over 30 registered magnitudes above 4.5, strong enough to be felt across homes and offices. So far, no injuries or major damage have been reported, but the continuous shaking has left residents anxious and exhausted.

“It’s like the island is constantly trembling,” said Naoki Fujita, a shopkeeper in Amami. “Even when the shaking stops, you still feel it in your body. People are scared something bigger is coming.”

Seismologists say the swarm of quakes is linked to ongoing stress release along the complex plate boundaries between the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate — a region known for its geological instability. The JMA noted that this level of earthquake clustering is uncommon in such a short span of time.

Despite the high number of quakes, no tsunami warnings have been issued. However, local authorities are urging residents to stay alert, keep emergency kits ready, and avoid unstable areas near cliffs or coastlines.

Scientists from Japan’s National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience (NIED) have been dispatched to monitor the region. While swarms can taper off on their own, experts warn that intense seismic sequences like this have, in rare cases, preceded larger quakes in the past.

“We don’t have evidence of an imminent major quake, but we cannot rule out the possibility,” said Dr. Yui Tanaka, a geophysicist with NIED. “We’re closely analyzing the depth and patterns of these tremors.”

Japan, situated along the volatile Ring of Fire, experiences thousands of earthquakes annually. But the sheer density of tremors within this two-week window has sparked fears and comparisons to previous earthquake sequences that preceded more powerful events.

Residents across the Ryukyu chain, many of whom live in remote, low-lying areas, have begun taking precautions by reinforcing structures and keeping emergency shelters on standby. Authorities continue to provide regular updates and advisories as the situation unfolds.

The Meteorological Agency is expected to release a detailed seismic review later this week.