Tokyo [Japan], April 20 (ANI): A powerful earthquake measuring 7.5 in magnitude struck northeastern and northern Japan on Monday, prompting a tsunami warning, the country’s weather agency said.
An 80-centimeter tsunami was observed at Kuji Port in Iwate Prefecture, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
The quake, which struck at 4:53 p.m., registered an upper 5 on Japan’s seismic intensity scale of 7 and occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers, state media outlet Kyodo reported. The US Geological Survey initially estimated the magnitude at 7.4 before it was later revised upward.
The Japan Meteorological Agency warned that quakes of a similar scale could occur over the next week, according to Kyodo. Public broadcaster NHK also reported that the earthquake struck at a depth of 10 kilometers.
Tsunami warnings were issued for the Pacific coasts of Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate prefectures, with waves of up to 3 meters expected to arrive immediately.
No abnormalities were reported at the Higashidori and Onagawa nuclear plants in Aomori and Miyagi prefectures, or at the Fukushima Daiichi and Daini nuclear power plants in Fukushima Prefecture, according to plant operators cited by Kyodo.
Addressing reporters, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi urged residents in affected areas to evacuate to higher ground.
JR East said it has suspended services on the Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Shin-Aomori stations. (ANI)
About The Author
