The epicenter of the tremors was about 80 km off the coast of Aomori Prefecture, at a depth of about 54 km. Due to the quake, the JMA (Japan Meteorological Agency) issued a tsunami warning and waves up to 3 meters high. In the areas most affected by the quake, an evacuation was ordered, covering a total of approximately 90,000 people. people.
On the Japanese 7-point seismic intensity scale, the earthquake was given a grade 6, which means, among other things, that you cannot stand on your feet or move without crawling. In such accidents, most heavy furniture may fall over, and windows in many buildings may be damaged.
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What was the magnitude of the earthquake in Japan?
How many people were injured in the earthquake?
What warning did the Japan Meteorological Agency issue?
How many people had to evacuate?
The warnings cover the Tokyo area
Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported that despite its great strength, the quake did not have any serious consequences or cause major losses.
It is also known that the quake caused two minor fires, and Japanese railways suspended some connections in northern Honshu and parts of Hokkaido. The JMA has issued an aftershock warning, which includes: the entire northeastern part of Honshu, up to Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo.
Japanese energy companies reported that no irregularities were reported in the operation of nuclear power plants. One of the companies initially reported that several thousand households had no access to electricity, but later the number was reduced to several hundred.
Due to its location in the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, at the meeting point of four tectonic plates: the Pacific, Eurasian, Philippine and North American, Japan is one of the countries most exposed to earthquakes. Several dozen tremors are recorded there every month – up to 1,500 per year, the vast majority of which remain imperceptible to humans.
In March 2011, Japan was hit by an earthquake with a magnitude of 9.0, which was considered the strongest in the country's history. Almost 20,000 people died then. people and the Fukushima nuclear power plant was seriously damaged.
