A powerful earthquake measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale struck off the northern coast of Japan on Friday. This incident occurred just days after a more intense 7.5 magnitude quake that resulted in over 50 injuries.
Details of the Earthquake
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued an initial tsunami warning, predicting wave heights of up to one meter. However, actual recorded waves reached only 20 centimeters in Hokkaido and northern Honshu. Subsequently, JMA confirmed that the tsunami threat had been lifted.
- Magnitude: 6.7
- Date and Time: Friday at 11:44 AM JST
- Location: 130 kilometers off the coast of Kuji, Iwate Prefecture
- Previous Earthquake: 7.5 magnitude, resulting in more than 50 injuries
Impact of the Recent Quake
Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported no significant changes in water levels at local ports. The intensity of this latest quake was less than that of the earlier 7.5 magnitude earthquake, which had knocked items off shelves and damaged infrastructure.
Authorities issued evacuation orders for residents near a 70-meter-tall damaged tower in Aomori. Fortunately, the Nuclear Regulation Authority confirmed that there were no abnormalities detected at nuclear facilities in the region.
Future Concerns
The JMA previously issued a rare warning about the potential for another earthquake greater than magnitude 6.0 in the following week. The warning specifically targeted the Sanriku region and Hokkaido, areas already traumatized by the devastating 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami in March 2011, which resulted in about 18,500 fatalities.
- Significant Past Earthquake: 9.0 magnitude in March 2011
- Estimated Deaths from 2011 Quake: 18,500
In August 2024, the JMA had issued its first special warning for the southern Pacific coast concerning a possible strong earthquake along the Nankai Trough. This underwater trench is where the Philippine Sea Plate slowly subducts beneath the continental plate of Japan.
The government estimates that a quake in the Nankai Trough could result in up to 298,000 deaths and cause damages approaching $2 trillion. Although the warning was lifted after a week, it led to panic buying of essential items like rice and cancellations of vacation bookings.
Japan’s Seismic Activity
Japan is located at the convergence of four major tectonic plates, making it one of the most seismically active countries worldwide. The archipelago experiences around 1,500 earthquakes each year, with most being minor. However, the severity of damage varies greatly depending on the quake’s location and depth.
