Northeastern Japan has been struck by a powerful magnitude 7.6 earthquake, leading authorities to issue a major tsunami warning for coastal regions and sparking fears of widespread devastation.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) in Tokyo confirmed the earthquake’s magnitude at 7.6. Following the seismic event, the agency immediately issued a warning for tsunami waves of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along the northeastern coast. Residents in the affected areas have been strongly advised to evacuate immediately to higher ground.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the earthquake struck at 11:15 PM local time. Its epicenter was located approximately 44 miles (70 kilometers) offshore and originated at a depth of about 33 miles (53 kilometers) beneath the surface.
The JMA specified that tsunami waves could reach heights of up to 10 feet in certain coastal parts of Iwate, Aomori, and Hokkaido. Authorities are urging all residents in these zones to move to safe, elevated locations without delay to minimize the risk to human life from the encroaching sea surge.
