Strong Quake Strikes Northeastern Japan

Tokyo, April 20 (Jiji Press)--A strong earthquake struck northeastern Japan on Monday, measuring up to upper 5, the fourth-highest level on the Japanese seismic intensity scale, and triggering tsunami warnings.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the tremor occurred at around 4:52 p.m. off the Sanriku Pacific coastal area of northeastern Japan, with upper 5 seismic intensity observed in the town of Hashikami, Aomori Prefecture. The quake had an estimated magnitude of 7.7 and occurred at a depth of about 19 kilometers. Its moment magnitude was calculated at 7.4.

Tsunami warnings were issued for Iwate Prefecture, the Pacific coast of Aomori Prefecture and the central area of the Pacific coast of Hokkaido, northernmost Japan. The warnings were downgraded to advisories at 8:15 p.m.

Tsunami advisories were also issued for the eastern and western parts of the Pacific coast of Hokkaido, the Sea of Japan coast of Aomori Prefecture, Miyagi Prefecture and Fukushima Prefecture. All advisories were lifted at 11:45 p.m.

A tsunami of 80 centimeters was observed in the Iwate city of Kuji shortly after 5:30 p.m. Tsunamis of 40 centimeters were observed in the Aomori city of Hachinohe and the Hokkaido town of Urakawa, while a tsunami of 30 centimeters was recorded in Sendai, the capital of Miyagi Prefecture.

[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]