Tokyo, Japan – Japan awoke Monday to another natural disaster, as the Japan Meteorological Agency reported a powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.4. The quake struck off the country’s northeastern coast late Monday afternoon.
The earthquake triggered panic in coastal areas, amid fears of a repeat of past natural disasters that have struck the Japanese archipelago.
Tsunami warnings issued for Iwate and Hokkaido
Japanese authorities immediately issued an urgent tsunami warning, forecasting waves up to 3 meters high.
The warning primarily covered Iwate Prefecture and large parts of the northern island of Hokkaido.
The agency urged residents in coastal and low-lying areas to evacuate immediately and move to higher ground. It also warned that the waves could strike land repeatedly and for extended periods.
Slight discrepancy in geographical observation
The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) confirmed the earthquake, but estimated its magnitude at 7.3 on the Richter scale.
The center explained that the epicenter was located off the east coast of Honshu, Japan’s largest island. It was at a very shallow depth of only 13 kilometers below the sea surface. This explains the intensity of the tremor and the increased likelihood of a tsunami, due to the epicenter’s proximity to the ocean floor.
In Tokyo, the Japanese government announced the formation of an emergency operations center to monitor the situation and assess potential damage to critical infrastructure. This is particularly focused on nuclear reactors and transportation and power networks in the affected areas.
As of now, there are no confirmed official reports on the extent of casualties or material damage. However, local media reported a temporary suspension of Shinkansen bullet train services and a thorough inspection of airports in areas near the epicenter. All eyes remain on the sea conditions in the coming hours, amidst a full mobilization of rescue and civil defense teams.
