Tokyo: A 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck off the eastern coast of Japan’s Noda region on Wednesday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
The tremor occurred at a depth of 19.3 kilometres beneath the seabed. No immediate reports of casualties or major damage were issued following the quake.
The latest earthquake comes just weeks after a stronger 7.5-magnitude tremor shook several parts of the country. That powerful quake injured at least 30 people and forced nearly 90,000 residents to evacuate their homes as authorities assessed the damage and aftershock risks.
The December 8 earthquake occurred offshore and prompted tsunami warnings along Japan’s northeastern coastline. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) had warned that tsunami waves of up to 3 metres could hit coastal areas. Alerts were issued for the prefectures of Hokkaido, Aomori and Iwate.
According to the JMA, tsunami waves ranging from 20 centimetres to 70 centimetres were later observed at several ports in the affected regions. Authorities urged residents in coastal areas to remain cautious until warnings were lifted.
Japan is among the most earthquake-prone countries in the world. Experts say the nation experiences a tremor at least every five minutes. This is due to its location along the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, a vast zone of volcanic activity and tectonic plate boundaries that surrounds much of the Pacific Ocean.
The country accounts for nearly 20 per cent of the world’s earthquakes measuring magnitude 6.0 or higher. As a result, Japan has invested heavily in earthquake-resistant infrastructure, early warning systems and disaster preparedness.
The northeastern region has previously suffered devastating seismic disasters. On March 11, 2011, a massive 9.0-magnitude earthquake struck offshore near the city of Sendai. It was the strongest earthquake ever recorded in Japan. The tremor triggered powerful tsunami waves that devastated large stretches of the Pacific coastline and claimed nearly 20,000 lives.
