Massive Earthquake Felt in Japan; Tsunami Warning Activated
This is a developing story.
A powerful earthquake struck off the northern coast of Japan today, at approximately 11:15 p.m. local time (JST), with a preliminary magnitude reported between 7.2 and 7.6 by various agencies.
The epicenter was located off Aomori Prefecture in the Pacific Ocean, at coordinates approximately 41.0°N, 142.3°E, at a depth of about 50 kilometers.
This event triggered a tsunami warning for parts of Japan's east coast, including Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, and Hokkaido prefectures, with potential waves up to 3 meters (10 feet) expected to reach shores within minutes to hours.
Real-time reports from social media indicate the quake was widely felt across northern Japan, with seismic intensities reaching up to 6+ in some areas like Iwate, Aomori, and Hokkaido.
Users described strong shaking, with videos showing swaying lights, emergency alerts blaring on phones, and people evacuating to higher ground.
For instance, residents in affected regions reported feeling dizzy or mistaking the initial tremors for something else, while pets reacted early to the vibrations.
There are also mentions of a separate, unconfirmed minor seismic event felt near Tokyo around the same time, but this appears unrelated to the main quake.
As of the latest updates, no immediate reports of major damage, injuries, or fatalities have emerged, but authorities are urging coastal residents to evacuate immediately and stay away from beaches.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and NHK have broadcast urgent warnings, emphasizing the risk of aftershocks and advising people to prioritize safety.
This quake occurs in a seismically active region along the Pacific Ring of Fire, and while Japan is well-prepared with strict building codes and alert systems, the tsunami threat remains the primary concern.