Tsunami advisory issued after 6.7-M earthquake strikes off northern Japan
by Darryl Coote · UPIDec. 12 (UPI) -- A 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Japan's northeastern coast on Friday, prompting officials to issue a tsunami advisory.
The temblor hit at 11:44 a.m. JST off the eastern coast of Aomori Prefecture at a depth of 12 miles, the Japan Meteorological Agency said in a statement. The U.S. Geological Survey also rated it a 6.7-magnitude earthquake, saying it struck about 70 miles east-northeast of Hachinohe, a city on the northeast coast Honshu Island, which is part of Aomori Prefecture.
A tsunami advisory, meaning small tsunami waves may arrive, was issued for the central Pacific coast of Hokkaido, the Pacific coast of Aomori Prefecture, Iwate Prefecture and Miyagi Prefecture.
The JMA observed a maximum 4 intensity in 38 municipalities across Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi and Akita prefectures, with seismic intensities ranging from 1 to 3 observed from Hokkaido through the Chubu region.
Japan has a seven-level seismic scale, with level 4 meaning strong shaking was felt, level 3 meaning most people were able to feel the temblor with hanging objects observed swaying, level 2 meaning it was felt by individuals indoors and level 1 being it was felt by some people indoors.
The earthquake comes after a 7.5-magnitude temblor struck the northernmost prefecture of Japan's main Honshu Island on Monday.
More than 30 people were reported injured by the quake, and tsunami warnings were issued, though they were lifted hours later.