A powerful 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck Japan, triggering a tsunami alert and leading to evacuations in certain regions of the country. The earthquake was detected off the coast of Aomori Prefecture on Thursday, December 11, causing ‘sea level fluctuations.’ The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning for the central Pacific coast of Hokkaido, the Pacific coast of Aomori, Iwate, and Miyagi Prefectures.
This event follows a recent megaquake warning in Japan, where concerns arose about a potential death toll of up to 200,000 people after a 7.5 magnitude earthquake occurred earlier in the week.
Tsunami waves measuring 0.2 meters impacted various areas of Aomori Prefecture and the Hokkaido coast in Japan. An evacuation directive was issued for 2,835 residences, affecting 6,138 individuals in Ofunato, Iwate, Japan.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi previously cautioned the nation’s citizens to stay prepared and evacuate promptly in case of any tremors. She emphasized the importance of staying vigilant regarding updates from the Japan Meteorological Agency and local authorities and urged residents to be ready for immediate evacuation if they sense any shaking.
Despite the earthquake causing ‘sea level fluctuations,’ there are no reports of significant damage. No tsunami is anticipated for the western coasts of the US and Canada. However, a tsunami wave up to one meter high is expected to reach the Pacific coast of Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate, and Miyagi prefectures in Japan.
Following the earthquake, thousands of people have been evacuated from the affected areas. An evacuation order was specifically issued for 2,835 residences, affecting a total of 6,138 individuals in Ofunato, Iwate, Japan.