Tsunami Advisory Lifted Following 6.9-Magnitude Earthquake Off Northern Japan

TOKYO – Japanese authorities have lifted a tsunami advisory issued earlier Friday after a significant earthquake struck off the coast of the country’s northeastern region. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) confirmed the quake had a magnitude of 6.9.

The earthquake occurred at 11:44 a.m. local time (0244 GMT) in the Pacific Ocean off Aomori prefecture, at a depth of 20 kilometers (12 miles). Initial reports from the JMA had estimated the magnitude at 6.7 before it was revised upward. The tremor registered a 4 on Japan’s 7-point seismic intensity scale, which measures ground motion and shaking at a specific location, indicating widely felt shaking with no significant structural damage expected.

Context: A Seismically Active Week

The event follows a more powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake that struck the same general area late on Monday, prompting that earlier tsunami warning. In the wake of Monday’s major tremor, the Japanese government had issued a rare, special seismic advisory, urging heightened vigilance across a broad swath of eastern Japan. The advisory warned residents from the northern island of Hokkaido to Chiba prefecture, east of Tokyo, of an elevated probability of another powerful quake occurring within the following week.

Limited Impact, Swift Response

Friday’s quake triggered an initial tsunami advisory, predicting waves of up to 1 meter (3 feet) for parts of the Aomori and Hokkaido coastlines. However, observed sea level changes remained minor, leading the JMA to lift the advisory approximately 90 minutes after the initial tremor. No significant damage or injuries have been reported from Friday’s event.

Living with Seismic Risk

The rapid sequence of seismic activity underscores Japan’s constant vulnerability to earthquakes. Situated along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” the nation experiences about 20% of the world’s most powerful quakes. Japan’s sophisticated early warning systems and strict building codes are designed to mitigate the impact of such frequent events. The government’s special advisory earlier this week exemplifies its proactive approach to public safety based on seismic probability models.

Authorities continue to monitor seismic activity and have urged citizens, particularly in the recently affected regions, to remain prepared, maintain emergency supplies, and follow official instructions in the event of further aftershocks.

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