Significant Earthquake Strikes Off the Coast of Japan, Triggering Tsunami Warning
While you may think quakes are a western US problem, some of the largest temblors in US history have happened in the East. However, a recent earthquake has shifted the focus to the eastern coast of Japan, where a magnitude 7.6 earthquake centered in the Pacific Ocean has caused significant concern. The quake, which occurred approximately 45 miles west of Misawa, Japan, around 11:15 p.m. local time, was reported by the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
Earthquake Details and Tsunami Warning
The quake was estimated to be nearly 33 miles below the surface, according to USGS. Japan’s government issued a tsunami warning covering parts of the eastern coast of Honshu and Hokkiado, and some prefectures issued coastal evacuation orders. Japan’s Meteorological Agency (JMA) expected waves up to 9 feet in height for some prefectures closest to the epicenter, with observed tsunami wave heights of 1.3 feet and 1.6 feet.
Magnitude 7.6 earthquake strikes off the coast of Japan.
(FOX Weather / FOX Weather)
Impact and Response
A tsunami advisory was issued for Fukishima Prefecture, the site of the March 2011 earthquake-caused nuclear reactor disaster. USGS confirmed a magnitude 5.5 aftershock roughly 15 minutes after the initial quake. One of Japan’s high-speed railway lines announced that service was suspended due to the quake.
Tsunami Warning
(FOX Weather / FOX Weather)
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no threat to Hawaii from the magnitude 7.6 quake. The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Guam confirmed there was no threat to Guam or the greater Mariana Islands Archipelago, which are roughly 1,500 miles southeast of Japan. For the latest updates on this developing story, click here.
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