Japanese authorities have lifted a tsunami warning that was issued earlier today following a 6.7 magnitude earthquake off the country’s northern coast, according to the Meteorological Agency. The initial warning indicated that waves of up to one meter were possible along the northern coastline.
The agency reported that a 20-centimeter wave was recorded in Erimo, on the northern island of Hokkaido, at 12:35 PM local time (03:35 GMT), with another registered three minutes later in the Aomori region.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake struck approximately 130 kilometers from Kuji City on Honshu Island. This event follows a 7.5 magnitude earthquake in the same area just days prior, which resulted in at least 50 injuries.
Japan’s national broadcaster, NHK, confirmed that there were no immediate changes reported at ports in the affected region. NHK also noted that the intensity of the shaking was less severe than that experienced during Monday’s earthquake, which caused damage to roads, shattered windows, and generated tsunami waves reaching up to 70 centimeters.
The Nuclear Regulation Authority announced that there were no immediate indications of any irregularities at nuclear facilities in the region.
Earlier in the week, the Japanese Meteorological Agency issued a rare warning for Honshu and Hokkaido islands regarding the potential for another significant earthquake within the week, exceeding the magnitude of the one recorded on Monday evening.
The region remains mindful of the devastating 9.0 magnitude undersea earthquake and subsequent tsunami that occurred in 2011, which resulted in approximately 18,500 deaths and missing persons.
Japan is situated on four major tectonic plates along the western edge of the “Ring of Fire,” making it one of the world’s most seismically active countries. The archipelago, home to approximately 125 million people, experiences around 1,500 tremors annually. While the majority are minor, the resulting damage varies depending on their location and depth.
