A 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck the Island of Kyushu, at the southwest limits of Japan on the evening of April 14. The epicenter of the earthquake was in Kyushu’s Kumamoto Prefecture.
The initial quake was followed by a 7.0 magnitude quake that struck the same region around 2 a.m. Saturday, April 16 (1 p.m. ET, Friday).
Authorities have evacuated 23,000 people from their homes so far. The original tremor has been followed by as many as 30 aftershocks.
Thirteen of the students checked in with the study abroad office overnight to say they were fine and at their program sites.
Although one student remains unaccounted for, the host university has suggested the student in question was not scheduled for any travel to the region of Kyushu.
GEO looks forward to hearing directly from the student soon.
All UO students are in programs in Tokyo (approx. 550 miles from Kumamoto), Sapporo (approx. 1,500 miles from Kumamoto), and Akita (approx. 1,700 miles from Kumamoto).
Any significant updates to this report will be published below.
Update on Saturday, April 16 ( 7:30 pm, PT):
The last of the students was able to check-in and is safe at its host institution.
All 14 UO students in Japan are safe and accounted for.