A powerful earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale struck off the northeastern coast of Japan, prompting urgent evacuation orders for approximately 90,000 residents. The tremor occurred late on Monday, and the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued tsunami warnings for the affected areas, forecasting waves as high as three metres could make landfall.
The earthquake’s epicentre was located 80 km off the coast of Aomori Prefecture, at a depth of 50 km. According to the JMA, the quake registered as an “upper 6” on Japan’s seismic intensity scale in Aomori, indicating extreme intensity that can hinder standing or movement without crawling. In such events, heavy furniture often collapses, and structural damage like broken tiles and windowpanes is common.
In the wake of the earthquake, the East Japan Railway suspended several services in the region. This area is still recovering from the catastrophic 9.0-magnitude earthquake that struck on March 11, 2011, which resulted in extensive damage and loss of life. As of now, public broadcaster NHK reports no significant damage from the recent quake.
JMA officials have warned of the potential for additional strong earthquakes over the coming days. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi emphasized the importance of immediate evacuation in her statements, urging residents to move to high ground or designated evacuation buildings. She cautioned that subsequent tsunami waves could be larger and advised against leaving safe areas until the warning is lifted.
No irregularities have been reported at the nearby nuclear power plants operated by Tohoku Electric Power and Hokkaido Electric Power, according to the respective utilities. Japan, situated in the “Ring of Fire,” experiences a significant number of seismic events, accounting for around 20 percent of the world’s earthquakes of magnitude 6.0 or greater.
The northeastern region’s history with earthquakes remains poignant, as the 2011 disaster not only resulted in nearly 20,000 fatalities but also triggered a catastrophic tsunami that severely damaged the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, marking one of the worst nuclear disasters in recent history.
As authorities continue to monitor the situation, efforts to assess damage and ensure public safety remain a top priority. Residents are advised to stay informed through official channels for updates on tsunami warnings and safety information.
