Magnitude 6.9 Earthquake Has Struck Near Coast Of Fukushima, Japan, With Tsunami Waves Of Up To 3M Predicted

An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 hit the coast of Fukushima prefecture in Japan, causing tsunami warnings to be issued for the nation’s northern Pacific coast.

Bloomberg reports the quake struck at 5:59am local time.

A tsunami warning, with waves of up to three metres, has been issued for Fukushima prefecture. 

The US Geological Survey and Japan Meteorological Agency had initially quoted the quake at a magnitude of 7.3, before later downgrading it.

NHK, Japan’s national public broadcaster, has been live streaming the coast around Fukushima where a three-metre tsunami is expected to hit. They report a tsunami has already been observed around 20 kilometres off Fukushima’s coastline, at roughly 6:06am local time.

Residents are being advised to evacuate from coastal and riverside regions, and to get to higher ground immediately. “If there is no higher ground around you, please go up higher buildings… please inform your neighbours,” NHK said.



According to Tokyo Electric Power Company, there has been no change in radiation levels around the Fukushima power plant.

The Guardian reports, there were no immediate reports of damage or injury after the quake struck.

For the latest information, you can check the Japan Meteorological Agency’s page.

Photo: NHK