Tsunami Threat Passes After Magnitude 6.9 Earthquake Off Iwate
A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck off the coast of Iwate Prefecture on Sunday evening at 5:03 p.m., registering a 4 on Japan's seismic intensity scale. The quake triggered tsunami waves up to 20 centimeters in some areas, prompting evacuation orders in several municipalities.
A tsunami advisory was issued for Iwate Prefecture, warning of waves potentially reaching 1 meter, but it was lifted shortly after 8 p.m.
Observable Effects and Aftershocks
- A 20 cm tsunami was recorded at Ofunato Port at 6:25 p.m. and at Kuji Port at 5:52 p.m., according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).
- The earthquake's intensity reached shindo 4 in Morioka city, Yahaba town in Iwate, and Wakuya town in neighboring Miyagi Prefecture.
- By 8:30 p.m., 11 additional quakes struck the same region, including a magnitude 6.3 earthquake with shindo 3 intensity.
Infrastructure and Safety Status
"East Japan Railway said the Tohoku Shinkansen briefly lost power and that operations were temporarily suspended between Sendai and Shin-Aomori stations."
"Tohoku Electric Power said no abnormalities were reported at its Onagawa nuclear power plant in Miyagi Prefecture."
No initial reports of injuries or damage have emerged following the earthquake and its aftershocks.
The Japan Meteorological Agency initially reported the earthquake magnitude as 6.7 before updating it to 6.9.
Author's summary: The magnitude 6.9 quake off Iwate caused minor tsunami waves and temporary disruptions but no reported injuries or significant damage.