Second More Powerful Earthquake Slams Southern Japan

Barely 24 hours after a 6.5 earthquake hit southern Japan, a second powerful quake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.1 struck the same region.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the latest tremor struck just west-southwest of the city of Kumamoto.

The disaster unfolded as rescue workers were searching for people trapped in the rubble after the first quake shook Japan Thursday night, killing at least nine people and injuring nearly 800.

Thursday's quake also struck near Kumamoto on the island of Kyusu, collapsing homes, sparking fires and even derailing a bullet train.

Tens of thousands of people fled their homes, and television footage shows damaged buildings and buckled roads.

Thousands of homes are without electricity and gas. Search and rescue crews went door to door in the dark searching for survivors.

American Nole Vincent lives close to where the quake hit.

"Suddenly we just kind of felt the floor drop beneath us," Vincent said. "That's what it felt like."

Seismologists are concerned the quake could activate Mount Aso, the country's largest active volcano. The U.S. Geological Survey says they are likely to continue for about a week.

"Aftershocks are still occurring so we would like to give our best efforts to prevent any secondary disasters." Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said.

Japan, which sits along the so-called Ring of Fire, is no stranger to earthquakes. In 2011, a monster 9.0 quake unleashed a deadly tsunami that swallowed up entire communities and killed some 22,000 people.

In recent days, three large quakes have been recorded in the region, including one in Myanmar and one in Pakistan.