Did Seismologists Already Predict Japan's Earthquake?

The Solar System Geometry Index (SSGI) made a bold earthquake prediction regarding the Earth-Mercury-Mars conjunction occurring in the early hours of December 28, foreseeing the potential for a significant seismic event in the coming days, possibly reaching a magnitude in the high 7s.

Today, this prediction has materialized with striking accuracy. The Japan Meteorological Agency swiftly reported seismic activity off the coast of Ishikawa and neighboring prefectures, occurring shortly after 4 p.m., notably including one earthquake registering a preliminary magnitude of 7.6.

The aftermath of these tremors prompted Japan to issue tsunami alerts on Monday, as a series of robust quakes rattled the Sea of Japan.

A major tsunami warning was issued specifically for Ishikawa, accompanied by lower-level tsunami warnings or advisories for the entirety of the western coast of Honshu, Japan's largest island.

Japanese public broadcaster NHK TV warned torrents of water could reach as high as 5 metres (16.5 feet) and urged people to flee to high land or a top of a nearby building as quickly as possible.

NHK said the tsunami waves could keep returning, and warnings were continuing to be aired nearly an hour after the initial alert.

The government was set to hold a news conference later in the day. Reports of damage were not immediately available.

A tsunami of about 3 metres high was expected to hit Niigata and other prefectures on the western coast of Japan. Smaller tsunami waves were already confirmed to have reached the coastline, according to NHK.

Japan is an extremely quake-prone nation. In March 2011, a major quake and tsunami caused meltdowns at a nuclear plant.

The Solar System Geometry Index (SSGI), a Netherlands-based organisation, is a dataset computation based on values provided by particular geometric planetary positions, the Moon and the Sun.