Japan, on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” sits atop four tectonic plates, experiencing 1,500 annual earthquakes, including the devastating 9.0-magnitude 2011 quake and tsunami
Tokyo
Japan’s Meteorological Agency has issued a tsunami advisory for the northern Pacific coast after a 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Aomori Prefecture on Friday, authorities said.
The quake hit at 11:44 a.m. local time, at a depth of 20 km, and measured 4 on Japan’s seismic scale of 7 in the hardest-hit areas. The epicenter was recorded at 40.9 degrees north latitude and 143.0 degrees east longitude.
The tsunami advisory covers Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate, and Miyagi prefectures, with waves expected to reach up to 1 metre. The Japan Meteorological Agency had previously revised the quake’s magnitude upward from 6.5.
This tremor follows a 7.5-magnitude quake in the same region on Monday night, which triggered tsunami warnings for parts of Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate. Following that incident, the JMA issued a rare special advisory warning that another quake of similar or greater size could occur within a week.
The Nuclear Regulation Authority reported no immediate problems at the region’s nuclear facilities, but authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.
Japan, located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” sits atop four major tectonic plates and experiences around 1,500 earthquakes annually. While most are minor, the country remains alert due to its history of devastating quakes, including the 9.0-magnitude 2011 undersea earthquake that triggered a tsunami, leaving approximately 18,500 dead or missing.
The Sanriku area in northeastern Honshu and northern Hokkaido are particularly vulnerable to seismic activity, and residents have been advised to remain vigilant and follow safety protocols as authorities assess the current situation.
