7.6 Earthquake Hits Japan, Tsunami Warnings Issued

News Desk

Japan: A powerful earthquake struck off Japan’s northern coast on Monday, prompting tsunami warnings and leaving several people injured, according to local media.

The US Geological Survey reported that the magnitude 7.6 quake occurred at 14:15 GMT off the Pacific coast near Misawa, at a depth of 53 kilometres (33 miles).

Japan’s Meteorological Agency (JMA) soon issued a tsunami warning, confirming that two tsunami waves measuring 40 centimetres (16 inches) had reached coastal areas.

The first wave hit a port in Aomori’s Misawa region at 11:43 pm (14:43 GMT), followed minutes later by another wave reaching Urakawa in Hokkaido at 11:50 pm.

Read More: https://thepenpk.com/magnitude-6-5-earthquake-strikes-indonesias-papua/

Public broadcaster NHK reported injuries in the city of Hachinohe, Aomori, where live footage showed roads littered with shattered glass. Strong tremors were also felt in Sapporo, with alarms sounding across smartphones to alert residents.

An NHK reporter in Hokkaido described intense horizontal shaking lasting around 30 seconds, strong enough to make it difficult to remain standing.

The JMA initially warned that tsunami waves of up to three metres (10 feet) could strike Japan’s Pacific coastline.

Japan, located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” sits atop four major tectonic plates and experiences about 1,500 earthquakes annually. While most are minor, the impact varies widely depending on their strength, depth, and proximity to populated areas.