Earthquake Hits Northeast Japan, Injuring Several
An earthquake struck Japan’s northeastern coast on Thursday, injuring at least ten individuals in the northern prefectures of Aomori and Iwate, according to local authorities.
The quake was initially registered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) as a magnitude 6.9, a figure echoed by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) before they adjusted their measurements to 7.2. Some reports from Japanese media suggest that about 11 people have sustained injuries from the event.
Fortunately, there have been no reports of life-threatening injuries or fatalities as of now.
The earthquake occurred at 7:30 a.m. local time, shaking numerous towns across the region and causing mild tremors as far away as Tokyo. Aomori Prefecture experienced the most severe impacts, registering an “upper 6” on Japan’s 7-point seismic intensity scale, a level that can make standing or walking extremely difficult.
Interestingly, just about 30 minutes prior to this earthquake, two significant back-to-back tremors struck Venezuela, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, leading to the loss of around 188 lives.
The JMA noted that the epicenter of the quake, located approximately 30 miles deep, was off the coast of Iwate Prefecture, and slight changes in sea level should be anticipated in the area.
Japan’s government has deployed an emergency team to gather information about the earthquake in the Tohoku region and is prepared to initiate disaster relief operations, as reported by Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara.
In Tokyo, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that the government’s emergency response team is focused on the safety of residents while assessing the situation and getting ready for any necessary relief efforts. She also encouraged people in the affected regions to stay alert for possible aftershocks.
East Japan Railway Co. temporarily suspended some bullet train and local rail services in northeastern Japan for safety inspections.
Tohoku Electric Power confirmed that no irregularities were detected at its Onagawa nuclear plant or the inactive Higashidori facility. The Nuclear Regulation Authority also reported that surrounding plants run by Tokyo Electric Power and other utilities showed no abnormalities.
Japan is situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire and is known as one of the world’s most seismically active areas, accounting for approximately one-fifth of global earthquakes of magnitude 6 or greater.
