The following is a fictional disaster narrative set in Miyako, Japan. The events, earthquake, tsunami, casualties, and destruction described below are fictional and should not be interpreted as a report of a real earthquake occurring in Miyako.

At first, no one in Miyako understood what was happening.

It began with a vibration so subtle that some residents mistook it for a passing truck.

A glass trembled on a kitchen table.

A hanging light swung gently from the ceiling.