Japan’s Meteorological Agency recorded the magnitude at 7.5 on its preliminary experiences, with the epicentre laying roughly 80km offshore at a depth of round 44km, brought on by thrust faulting –the place one tectonic plate is compelled beneath one other alongside the Japan Trench. Shaking lasted for round 30 seconds and was felt as far-off as Tokyo.
Within minutes, the JMA issued tsunami warnings for Hokkaido, Aomori and Iwate, as harbour cameras confirmed the ocean pulling again then dashing in. Ports alongside the northeast rim, together with Kuji in Iwate and Urakawa in Hokkaido, recorded waves of up to 70cm.
By 6.30am on Tuesday, all tsunami warnings and advisories had been cancelled as gauges confirmed the waves subsiding. Nevertheless, the federal government’s catastrophe taskforce stays on excessive alert, with aftershocks together with a minimum of one magnitude-6.6 occasion rattling the area, and a “subsequent earthquake advisory” remaining in power alongside the Pacific facet of northern Honshu and Hokkaido for the approaching week.
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Which areas of Japan have been affected by the earthquake?
Tohoku and northern Honshu (Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi)
This is the realm closest to the epicentre and has seen the strongest shaking and tsunami affect. Towns corresponding to Hachinohe and Kuji have reported accidents, damaged glass, toppled cabinets and minor structural harm.
Hokkaido
New Chitose Airport close to Sapporo closed runways briefly for inspections, and a part of a home terminal ceiling collapsed, though there have been no experiences of significant accidents on the airport. Resorts in central and northern Hokkaido – together with well-liked winter locations like Furano and Niseko – are nicely away from the epicentre and have to date reported little greater than minor rattling and momentary energy sparkles.
Tokyo and central Honshu
The capital felt a chronic however average tremor. Trains briefly slowed or paused as automated security methods kicked in, however companies have principally returned to regular. There are not any experiences of serious harm in Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya or Kyoto.
Western Japan (Osaka, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Okinawa)
Western and southern areas, together with Kansai, Kyushu and Okinawa, are largely unaffected. Flights, ferries and Shinkansen companies in these areas are working usually.