Powerful earthquake of 6.2 magnitude strikes Japan's Hokkaido Island days after 7.7 magnitude
PTC News Desk: According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake struck about 18 km west of the town of Sarabetsu on Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost main island, at a depth of 81 km. The USGS estimated its magnitude at 6.1. Japan is highly prone to earthquakes, and such events occur frequently, so authorities closely track them for aftershocks or related risks.
This tremor came just a week after a stronger 7.7 magnitude quake led officials to warn of a slightly increased risk of a potential megaquake along the country’s northeastern coast.
Several port towns, including Otsuchi and Kamaishi, ordered thousands of residents to evacuate, according to NHK.
Footage on NHK showed ships leaving Hachinohe port in Hokkaido as a “Tsunami! Evacuate!” alert appeared on screen. The Japan Meteorological Agency warned that a 3-metre tsunami could damage low-lying areas, flood buildings, and sweep away anyone caught in its currents.
The quake was rated “upper 5” on Japan’s seismic intensity scale, strong enough to make movement difficult and cause poorly built concrete walls to collapse. Authorities urged people to stay away from coastal areas as waves were expected to hit the shore.
- With inputs from agencies
