These Things Out After Japan Earthquake

FUKUOKA - Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from earthquake-hit southern Japan as dozens of aftershocks struck. But, a mystery layer of foam covered the streets of a city in Japan in the aftermath of an earthquake which hit the country this week.

The foamy substance appeared in the centre of the southern city of Fukuoka in the early hours of Saturday (16/4), following a 7-magnitude quake which shook the Kumamoto region.

A magnitude-6.5 earthquake had struck the same area on Thursday night, but residents of Fukuoka reported little damage in the aftermath of either.

People posted images and a video of the unexplained foam on Twitter, leading many to speculate on its cause, with one theory that a tremor may have caused a underground water pipe to burst.

The mystery comes as Japan woke up to scenes of devastation earlier today after a second huge earthquake struck the nation, bringing the total death count to 41 and rising.

The 7.3 magnitude earthquake destroyed buildings and roads, causing massive mudslides that washed away entire bridges and dumped hundreds of tonnes of soil on buildings and roads.

For known, more than 1,500 people were injured and 31 killed by yesterday's quake in southern Kyushu island, and authorities say they expect the death toll to rise.

It struck just a day after another 6.4 magnitude shock, killing ten, and the country's prime minister, Shinzo Abe, said it is now a 'race against time' to find survivors.

"Nothing is more important than human life and it's a race against time. Daytime today is the big test. I want rescue activities to continue with the utmost effort," Abe said.

The disaster left 410,000 homes without water and 200,000 with no power, forcing crowds of people to queue for food and water at emergency aid centres set up in the wake of the aftershocks.