Dozens of Earthquakes Shake Japan After Tsunami Warning Canceled
A 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Japan's Iwate Prefecture at 5:03 p.m. Over the last 24 hours, at least 25 earthquakes have occurred off Japan's coast, some exceeding magnitude 6.0.
The largest quake, measuring 6.8, triggered a tsunami warning that lasted several hours before being canceled, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
Magnitude and Location Details
- Earthquake magnitudes ranged from 4.5 to above 6.0, with many quakes over 5.0, which can cause damage and potential loss of life.
- The cluster was centered about 75 miles off the coast of Iwate Prefecture, with one event occurring further north near Hokkaido Prefecture.
Japan's Seismic Activity and Tectonic Setting
Japan lies on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," where the Pacific Plate interacts with the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate. This tectonic environment produces around 1,500 earthquakes annually in Japan, accounting for roughly 18% of global seismic activity.
Japan's "complex coastline is vulnerable to tsunamis," according to Tokyo's foreign ministry.
Major earthquakes in Japan can trigger deadly tsunamis and widespread destruction, as seen in 2011 when a 9.0 magnitude quake caused catastrophic loss of life and a nuclear disaster in Fukushima.
Recent Earthquake Specifics
The strong earthquake was initially measured at magnitude 6.9, with a depth of about 12 miles, striking off the coast of Iwate Prefecture at 5:03 p.m.
Summary
The series of significant quakes underscores Japan’s ongoing seismic risks due to its position on multiple tectonic plate boundaries and its vulnerability to tsunamis.
Would you like the summary sentence to be more technical or more accessible?