7.7 magnitude quake triggers tsunami warning
BBC • • general
Key Points:
- A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck off Japan's north-east coast near Iwate prefecture, prompting evacuation orders and tsunami warnings with waves up to 80cm recorded.
- Officials warned of a heightened risk of an even larger earthquake, potentially measuring 8.0 or higher, within the next week, increasing concerns of more severe shaking and bigger tsunami waves.
- Thousands were urged to evacuate coastal areas to higher ground, with tsunami alerts remaining active in regions including Honshu and Hokkaido, where local authorities used loudspeakers to warn residents.
- Despite some disruptions to bullet trains and power outages affecting around 100 homes, no major damage or injuries were reported immediately following the quake.
- The event revived memories of the catastrophic 2011 earthquake and tsunami that caused extensive loss of life and a nuclear disaster, highlighting Japan's vulnerability due to its location on the seismically active Ring of Fire.
