Earthquake Of Magnitude 6 Strikes Off Coast Of Japan's Noda Region

An earthquake of magnitude 6.0 struck off the coast of Japan’s Noda region on Wednesday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported. The quake occurred offshore, and there were no immediate reports

of loss of life or property damage.

The quake took place at a depth of 19.3 km, it said. Authorities were monitoring the situation for any potential impact.

The latest quake comes weeks after a powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck offshore on December 8, injuring at least 30 people and forcing around 90,000 residents to evacuate. Following that tremor, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) warned that a tsunami of up to 3 metres could hit the country’s northeastern coast. Tsunami warnings were issued for Hokkaido, Aomori and Iwate prefectures, and waves ranging from 20 to 70 cm were recorded at several ports.

Japan is among the world’s most earthquake-prone countries, experiencing tremors as frequently as every five minutes. Situated along the seismically active “Ring of Fire,” which surrounds much of the Pacific Basin, Japan accounts for nearly 20 per cent of all earthquakes worldwide measuring magnitude 6.0 or higher.

The country’s northeastern region has previously endured some of its worst seismic disasters. On March 11, 2011, a massive 9.0-magnitude earthquake struck beneath the ocean off the coast of Sendai, triggering devastating tsunamis along the Pacific coastline. The disaster, the strongest ever recorded in Japan, claimed nearly 20,000 lives and caused widespread destruction.