Japan’s Meteorological Agency has issued a warning urging people along the northern Pacific coast to stay alert after a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck the eastern coast of Aomori. The earthquake, which occurred on Friday at 11:44 a.m., was followed by a tsunami advisory, which was later lifted after tsunami waves of up to 20 centimeters were observed in parts of Hokkaido and Aomori prefectures.
The earthquake occurred at a depth of 17 kilometers and caused tremors with an intensity of 4 on the Japanese scale, which ranges from 0 to 7. The tremors were felt in Hokkaido and the Tohoku region. This earthquake is part of a series of jolts that have hit Japan since a powerful 7.5 magnitude quake struck Hachinohe on Monday.
The magnitude 7.5 earthquake from Monday led to a tsunami warning for coastal areas, and a 70-centimeter tsunami was observed at Kuji Port in Iwate Prefecture. However, despite the strong tremors and tsunami advisories, there were no reported abnormalities at nuclear plants in the affected regions. Tohoku Electric Power Company reported no issues at the Higashidori nuclear power plant in Aomori, and Tokyo Electric Power Company confirmed that both the Fukushima Daiichi and Daini nuclear plants showed no abnormal readings.
Despite the tsunami advisory being lifted, the Meteorological Agency has emphasized the ongoing threat of a larger earthquake. The agency issued an “Off the Coast of Hokkaido and Sanriku Subsequent Earthquake Advisory” on Tuesday after the earlier quake, which followed a magnitude 7.5 event. The advisory warns of a high possibility of a larger tremor in the coming days, particularly along the Japan Trench and the Chishima Trench off Hokkaido.
The advisory spans 182 municipalities in the prefectures of Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki, and Chiba. The Meteorological Agency has cautioned that there is still a risk of a mega quake with a magnitude of 8 or higher, but this is not guaranteed. Authorities have not called for evacuations but have urged residents to prepare for emergencies.
People are advised to make preparations, including packing emergency bags, familiarizing themselves with evacuation routes and locations, securing furniture, and stocking up on essential supplies like food, water, and emergency toilet kits.
Key Points:
- A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Aomori, Japan, causing tsunami waves up to 20 cm.
- No abnormalities were detected at nuclear plants in the affected areas.
- The Japan Meteorological Agency warns of the possibility of a larger earthquake with a magnitude of 8 or higher.
- People are advised to stay vigilant, prepare emergency kits, and review evacuation plans.
The situation remains fluid, and while the immediate threat has subsided, authorities continue to monitor seismic activity in the region.