Traditional buildings in Kuroshima's historic district crumble under quake's force. Coastal village on Wajima's outskirts bears brunt of seismic fury. Janis Mackey Frayer reports on devastating destruction.
Japan has rescinded a tsunami warning following a significant seismic event with a magnitude of 6.9 that struck the northeastern part of the country on Friday, as reported by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). Initially, the JMA had estimated the earthquake’s preliminary magnitude at 6.7.
The earthquake occurred at 11:44 a.m. local time (0244 GMT) off the coast of Aomori Prefecture, with a depth of 20 kilometers (12 miles). This tremor comes just days after a more powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake hit the same area late Monday, prompting the Japanese government to issue a special advisory.
Authorities warned residents across a broad region, from Hokkaido in the north to Chiba, east of Tokyo, to remain vigilant due to an increased risk of another major quake within the following week. Friday’s earthquake registered a 4 on Japan’s 1-to-7 seismic intensity scale, indicating moderate shaking.
casualties And Significant Damages
There were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage, but officials advised local residents to exercise caution and follow standard safety protocols, including checking emergency supplies and securing heavy furniture. The JMA lifted the tsunami advisory, and two 20cm waves were recorded, one in the town of Erimo on the main northern island of Hokkaido and another in the Aomori region.
The Nuclear Regulation Authority stated there were no immediate signs of abnormalities at the region’s nuclear facilities. 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 seismically active countries.
The archipelago, home to around 125 million people, experiences around 1,500 jolts every year, with the vast majority being mild. However, the damage they cause varies according to their location and depth below the Earth’s surface.
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