Japanese authorities lifted all tsunami warnings in the early hours of Dec 9, just hours after a powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake rattled the country’s north-eastern coast. The late-night quake injured at least 30 people and prompted around 90,000 residents to evacuate.
Image credits: The Straits Time
7.5 magnitude earthquake triggers Tsunami warnings
The earthquake struck offshore at 11.15pm on Dec 8, and the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) initially warned that waves of up to 3m could hit coastal areas. Tsunami warnings were issued for Hokkaido, Aomori and Iwate prefectures, and waves between 20cm and 70cm were later recorded at several ports.
By early Dec 9, the JMA downgraded the warnings to advisories, before eventually lifting them entirely. So far, there have been no reports of major damage.
The quake’s epicentre was located about 80km off Aomori prefecture at a depth of 54km. In Hachinohe city, the tremor registered an “upper 6” on Japan’s 1–7 seismic scale, strong enough to make standing or walking nearly impossible.
Image credits: Al Jazeera
Residents advised to stay alert for stronger quakes
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told reporters that, as of now, 30 injuries and one fire have been reported. East Japan Railway also suspended some services in the affected areas, while other northern routes faced delays. The region was previously hit by the devastating 9.0-magnitude quake in 2011.
After the shaking, the JMA issued a broader advisory stretching from Hokkaido down to Chiba, warning residents to stay alert as more strong quakes could occur within the week. “There is a possibility that further powerful and stronger earthquakes could occur over the next several days,” a JMA official said.
No abnormalities were detected at nuclear power plants operated by Tohoku Electric Power and Hokkaido Electric Power. Thousands of homes briefly lost electricity right after the quake, but power was fully restored by the morning of Dec 9.
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