Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Warning for Iwate Prefecture
Japan issued a tsunami advisory for Iwate Prefecture on Sunday evening following a strong offshore earthquake in the northern Pacific region, signaling possible waves up to one metre high.
Details of the Earthquake
- The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported the quake magnitude at 6.8.
- India's National Center for Seismology (NCS) measured it at 6.6.
- The earthquake occurred about 30 km beneath the ocean surface.
- The tremor struck near 39.51° N latitude and 143.38° E longitude around 5:03 pm local time.
Tsunami Advisory and Public Warnings
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) quickly issued a tsunami advisory for the Iwate coastline.
[translate:«A tsunami advisory has been issued,»] AFP quoted the agency, warning that waves could reach the shore unexpectedly.
Public broadcaster NHK confirmed tsunami waves offshore and urged residents to avoid beaches and coastal areas. However, live TV showed calm waters in several locations.
Historical Context
The recent quake recalled memories of the devastating 2011 disaster when a magnitude 9.0 undersea earthquake triggered a massive tsunami, causing about 18,500 deaths and missing persons.
The 2011 tsunami also led to the meltdown of three nuclear reactors at Fukushima, one of the worst nuclear accidents since Chernobyl.
Summary: A recent offshore 6.8 magnitude earthquake prompted tsunami warnings in Iwate Prefecture, reviving concerns from Japan’s 2011 disaster.