A substantial earthquake hit the eastern coast of Japan today, registering a magnitude of 6.8. It struck 10 kilometers below the sea, 126 kilometers east of Yamada City in Iwate Prefecture. This event occurred in the Ring of Fire region, notorious for frequent seismic activity. Japan's meteorological agency promptly issued a tsunami warning.
The earthquake occurred at approximately 5:03 PM local time (Japan Standard Time), centered in the North Pacific Ocean near Iwate Prefecture. The tremor was intense enough to be felt in surrounding areas, with coastal regions like Miyako and Yamada being wary of waves up to 1 meter high, prompting the warning.
Fortunately, there was no major harm. No casualties or injuries were reported, just minor waves arose. Monitoring for aftershocks is still ongoing. Scientists note this region's high activity, emphasizing the need for vigilance.
In the last 24 hours, a swarm of quakes affected the area. Reports reveal that before the primary 6.8 magnitude quake, five quakes over 5.0 magnitude occurred. These include...
A 5.4 magnitude quake at 6:04 AM.
A 5.0 magnitude quake at 7:33 AM.
A 5.6 magnitude quake later in the morning.
A 5.1 magnitude quake at 12:17 AM (UTC).
Another 5.1 magnitude shock preceding the main quake.
Additionally, a 5.1 magnitude aftershock followed the main quake. In the past 24 hours, at least 7 earthquakes of 5.0 magnitude or higher have been recorded. The swarm's sudden onset is a cause for concern.
Japan is located in the region famously known as the Ring of Fire, where the Pacific Plate subducts under the Okhotsk Plate, building tension that releases as tremors. This swarm is the result of minor releases of tension, increasing the risk of a larger earthquake. However, predicting the exact timing remains challenging. Japan's robust preparedness minimizes potential damage.
