Un 6,7 magnitude submarine earthquake The earthquake struck the northeast coast of Japan on Sunday afternoon, with its epicenter off the coast of Iwate Prefecture, prompting authorities to activate a tsunami warning for the area.
The tremor was recorded at 17: 03 local time And it came accompanied by warnings of waves up to one meter high; the public broadcaster NHK asked the population stay away from the coastalthough live images showed the sea in relative calm.
What is known about the earthquake
According to Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)The epicenter was located at sea about 10 kilometers deepThe tremor reached intensity 4 on the Japanese scale (maximum 7) in areas of Iwate and Miyagi, clearly perceptible to the population.
In its initial estimates, the JMA placed the magnitude at 6,7, Whereas the USGS He calculated it in 6,8Subsequently, the Japanese agency revised its assessment to 6,9, within the usual range of technical adjustments between organizations.
There were no immediate reports of no significant damage or injuriesand the authorities indicated that no anomalies were detected in the two nuclear power plants of the area. Yes, one was recorded. brief blackout and a partial suspension of shinkansen (bullet train), according to the Kyodo news agency.
The JMA and NHK reported that small tsunami wavesThe first arrival was detected in Miyako (Iwate) at 17:37, and at 17:39 a measurement was taken 10 cm wave en OfunatoAlso observed waves out at sea, with no notable effects on land.
Local authorities urged residents to remain vigilant possible replicas during the coming week, while also warning of the possibility of stronger movements in the next two or three daysThe Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi He urged people to pay close attention to official announcements.
Tsunami warning status
La JMA issued a tsunami warning for the Iwate coast by waves up to 1 meter and He left approximately three hours laterEven so, he noted that they could occur slight tidal variations on the Pacific coasts of Aomori, Iwate and Miyagi, without any provision for damages.
This type of notice is the lowest level of tsunami alerts, but it can generate strong currents capable of affecting small vessels; it was recommended Avoid beaches and low-lying areas until the end of the episode.
NHK reiterated the safety recommendations and asked residents stay away from the sea until the authorities confirmed that conditions on the coast had returned to normal.
Seismic background and context
The region still vividly remembers the great earthquake of 2011(M9,0) and the subsequent tsunami it caused around 18.500 dead or missing, in addition to the merger of three reactors in Fukushima, the worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl.
Japan sits on four major tectonic plates on the western edge of Pacific “Ring of Fire” And it is one of the most seismically active countries on the planet. With some 125 million, registers around 1.500 earthquakes per yearmostly mild.
The country's infrastructure is designed for withstand earthquakesHowever, the final impact depends on factors such as the depth and proximity to the coast, in addition to the type of soil and the preparedness of the population.
Following this incident, the authorities maintain the active surveillance While services and mobility are being normalized, they ask citizens to Iwate and Miyagi that they remain attentive to possible updates regarding replicas that may occur.
