A 6.7 magnitude earthquake rattled northeastern Japan, triggering minor tsunami activity without causing noticeable damage on Friday, following a more powerful quake in the same area earlier in the week. The earthquake struck off the eastern coast of Aomori prefecture on Honshu, the principal Japanese island, at a depth of 20 kilometers around 11:44 a.m. local time, as confirmed by the Japan Meteorological Agency. The agency issued a tsunami advisory, which was later lifted after about two hours. Small waves were observed in Hokkaido and Aomori prefectures, but there were no significant reports of harm or property damage.
This recent quake came on the heels of a 7.5 magnitude earthquake earlier in the week in the northern region, causing some injuries, minor damage, and a tsunami in coastal communities along the Pacific. The previous quake on Monday, located off the coast of Aomori, the northernmost prefecture on Honshu island, left at least 34 people injured. A tsunami exceeding 0.6 meters above normal tide levels hit Kuji port in Iwate prefecture before all tsunami advisories were canceled. Electricity supply was disrupted for several households but was largely restored by Tuesday morning. Authorities had cautioned about potential aftershocks.
Following Monday’s earthquake, officials highlighted a slight escalation in the likelihood of a magnitude 8-level earthquake and potential tsunami in the northeastern coastal areas of Japan, stretching from Chiba, just east of Tokyo, to Hokkaido. The Japan Meteorological Agency advised residents in 182 municipalities in the region to remain vigilant about their emergency readiness in the upcoming week, emphasizing that the warning did not signify an impending major earthquake.
Both tremors took place in the coastal vicinity, where a massive 9.0 magnitude earthquake and ensuing tsunami in 2011 claimed the lives of nearly 20,000 individuals and wreaked havoc on the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.