Japan Hit by 6.7-Magnitude Earthquake, Second Major Tremor in a Week; Tsunami Advisory Issued

Japan experienced another strong earthquake on Friday, with a 6.5–6.7 magnitude tremor shaking the northern region just days after a more powerful 7.5-magnitude quake struck earlier in the week, injuring around 50 people and damaging infrastructure.

Second Major Quake in the Same Region

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) stated that the latest earthquake occurred at 11:44 a.m. (local time) and its epicenter was located 20 kilometers deep under the ocean east of Aomori Prefecture. The US Geological Survey (USGS), on the other hand, rated the magnitude a bit higher at 6.7 and situated the epicenter about 130 kilometers from the town of Kuji in Iwate Prefecture.

This is in addition to Monday's earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5, which caused severe damage to roads and buildings and resulted in the generation of tsunami waves that reached up to 70 centimeters in some parts of the coast.

Tsunami Advisory Issued

Following Friday’s tremor, the JMA issued a tsunami advisory for the Pacific coast of:

Hokkaido

Aomori

Iwate

Miyagi

Authorities warned of possible waves up to 1 metre (3.2 feet).

A tsunami of over 2 feet (0.6 metres) was recorded in Kuji port before the advisory was lifted.

Power outages affected hundreds of homes but were mostly restored by Tuesday morning.

Aftershocks and Risks Continue

Friday’s quake is part of a series of strong tremors affecting Japan’s northern coastline this week.

Following Monday’s quake, JMA issued a rare special advisory, warning of:

the possibility of another major quake of similar or greater magnitude for one week

a slight increase in the risk of a powerful magnitude 8 earthquake along the northeastern coast, from Chiba to Hokkaido

Earthquake-Prone Region

Japan lies on the intersection of four major tectonic plates, forming part of the Pacific Ring of Fire—one of the most seismically active zones on Earth.

The nation experiences nearly 1,500 earthquakes every year, though most are minor.

The region still carries the trauma of the 2011 Tohoku megaquake, a 9.0-magnitude undersea disaster that triggered a massive tsunami, leaving around 18,500 people dead or missing.

Background: Multiple Quakes This Week

A 7.5-magnitude quake on Monday injured at least 50 people

Another 5.7-magnitude quake struck off Honshu earlier this week

JMA has previously warned of potential “megaquakes,” including along the Nankai Trough