More than 1,000 Earthquakes in 2 Weeks Leave Japanese Islanders Sleepless

Residents of a remote Japanese island have been left anxious and sleep-deprived after experiencing an extraordinary series of more than 1,000 earthquakes over the past two weeks, officials confirmed on Wednesday.

The island, located in the southern part of Japan’s archipelago, has been rocked by a swarm of tremors since late June. While most of the quakes have been minor, with magnitudes between 2.0 and 4.5, a few stronger ones exceeding magnitude 5.0 have rattled homes and triggered landslides on steep hillsides.

Japan’s Meteorological Agency (JMA) said the phenomenon appears to be a localized earthquake swarm, a sequence of seismic events in a limited area without a single, large mainshock. “We have recorded over 1,000 quakes in just 14 days, which is highly unusual even in a seismically active country like Japan,” a JMA spokesperson said during a press briefing.

Local residents say the constant shaking has made daily life difficult and sleep nearly impossible. “We feel the ground move every hour. Even when we try to sleep, another one wakes us up,” said a shop owner on the island. “Some families are sleeping in cars or tents outside, fearing their houses might collapse if a stronger quake hits.”

Schools and some businesses have temporarily closed, and disaster preparedness drills have been conducted across the island. Emergency services are on high alert, and additional rescue teams have been dispatched to the area as a precaution.

Experts are closely monitoring the seismic activity for signs of escalation or an imminent larger quake. So far, however, they believe the swarm is unlikely to trigger a catastrophic earthquake, though they warn that aftershocks could continue for weeks.

Japan sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” one of the most active seismic zones in the world, and experiences thousands of earthquakes every year. Despite advanced building codes and preparedness measures, prolonged swarms like this can still disrupt lives and strain communities.

Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious, avoid dangerous areas, and keep emergency supplies ready. Psychological support is also being offered, as the stress of constant tremors has taken a toll on many.