Powerful 7.6 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Northern Japan, Triggering 3-Meter Tsunami Warning

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) announced Monday that a powerful earthquake, measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale, struck off the northern coast of the country, prompting a tsunami warning.

Tsunami and Seismic Details:

• Tsunami Threat: The JMA warned that tsunami waves reaching up to 3 meters (nearly 10 feet) could hit the country's Pacific coast.

• Warning Areas: Tsunami warnings were issued for the regions of Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate.

• Observed Waves: Waves ranging between 20 and 50 centimeters were already detected in several ports.

• Quake Center and Intensity: The epicenter was located 80 kilometers off the coast of Aomori, at a depth of 50 kilometers. The shaking registered high on the Japanese seismic intensity scale (Shindo 6-upper in Aomori), severe enough to make standing or moving without crawling impossible.

Initial Impacts and Measures:

• Transportation: East Japan Railway suspended some train services in the affected region.

• Power & Nuclear Safety: Tohoku Electric Power and Hokkaido Electric Power reported no abnormal incidents at the nuclear power plants they operate in the area, though Tohoku reported power outages affecting thousands of homes.