7.6 magnitude quake jolts Japan’s east coast

TOKYO: The Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA) on Monday reported a 7.6 magnitude earthquake off the coast of its eastern Aomori prefecture.

The JMA reported that the epicentre of the quake was registered off the coast of Aomori at a depth of 50 kilometres at 11:15pm local time (7:15pm PKT).

Japanese public broadcaster NHK World reported that a tsunami warning had been issued 10 minutes later, urging citizens along the northeast coast to evacuate. Waves were estimated to reach a height of three metres.

There have been no reports of casualties, but NHK reported that “abnormalities at nuclear power plants and other facilities in various locations” are being examined.

Last month, Japan issued a tsunami advisory after an offshore 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck a northern Pacific region.

The quake struck around 5:03pm (1:03pm PKT) in waters off Iwate, prompting the advisory for a possible tsunami up to one metre high, the JMA said.

The US Geological Survey measured the quake as magnitude 6.8.

NHK said offshore tsunami waves were observed, and urged area residents not to go near coastal areas. Live television feeds on Japanese television showed calm seas.

Japan sits on top of four major tectonic plates along the western edge of the Pacific “Ring of Fire” and is one of the world’s most tectonically active countries.

The archipelago, home to around 125 million people, experiences around 1,500 jolts every year.

The vast majority are mild, although the damage they cause varies according to their location and depth below the Earth’s surface. Monitoring Desk