Tiny tsunami hits Miyako after 6.9 quake off Iwate
Tiny tsunami hits Miyako after 6.9 quake off Iwate
A 6.9-magnitude offshore quake spurred small tsunami waves along Japan's coast; advisory lifted as aftershocks continue to roll in.
An offshore earthquake off Iwate Prefecture rattled northern Japan on Sunday, with magnitude revised to 6.9 by the JMA after initially being reported as 6.7 and with the U.S. Geological Survey placing it at 6.8. It struck around 5:03 p.m. local time in waters off Iwate. The first tsunami arrived in Miyako at 5:37 p.m., but it was so small the JMA could not measure its size. Later, ports in Kuji and Ofunato recorded waves up to about 20 centimeters, with smaller waves at other coastal locations.
The JMA issued a tsunami advisory for the region, which was lifted shortly after 8 p.m. There have been aftershocks ranging from 4.6 to 6.3 in magnitude, and authorities warned that the area could experience larger quakes in the coming days. The memory of the deadly 2011 9.0-magnitude quake and the Fukushima nuclear disaster informs the caution of residents and emergency responders today.
Geologically, Japan sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where several tectonic plates interact. The latest events highlight ongoing seismic activity along the northern coast and the need for continued monitoring and preparedness for possible further tremors.
Cover image source: Powerful quake strikes off coast of Japan, tsunami advisory issued 🔗
