Tsunami Threat Ends After Magnitude 6.9 Earthquake Near Iwate
A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck off the coast of Iwate Prefecture on Sunday evening, registering a 4 on Japan's seismic intensity scale. The quake, which occurred at 5:03 p.m., triggered tsunami waves reaching 20 centimeters in some areas and led to evacuation orders in several municipalities.
A tsunami advisory was issued for Iwate Prefecture, warning about possible waves up to 1 meter, but it was lifted shortly after 8 p.m.
Wave Observations
- 20 cm tsunami waves were recorded at Ofunato Port and Kuji Port in Iwate at 6:25 p.m. and 5:52 p.m., respectively, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).
Seismic Details and Aftershocks
The initial quake registered shindo 4 in Morioka and Yahaba in Iwate, as well as Wakuya in Miyagi Prefecture. By 8:30 p.m., 11 additional quakes occurred in the area, including one magnitude 6.3 event with shindo 3 intensity.
Impact and Response
- No injuries or damage have been reported so far.
- East Japan Railway temporarily suspended Tohoku Shinkansen operations between Sendai and Shin-Aomori stations due to a brief power outage.
- Tohoku Electric Power confirmed no abnormalities at the Onagawa nuclear power plant in Miyagi Prefecture.
"The tsunami advisory for Iwate Prefecture was called off shortly after 8 p.m. after waves remained below the alert level."
Originally reported as magnitude 6.7, the Japan Meteorological Agency later revised the quake to 6.9.
Summary: The magnitude 6.9 earthquake off Iwate caused minor 20 cm tsunami waves and some disruptions but no injuries or damage, with all advisories now lifted.
Would you like the summary to be more detailed or concise?